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BIOLOGY 

LIBRARY 

6 


REPORT 


ON    THE 


BIKDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


With  Special  Reference  to  the  Food-Hahits,  based  on  over  Four 
Thousand  Stomach  Examinations. 


BY 

B.   H.  WARREN,  M.  D., 

ORNITHOLOGIST,   PENNSYLVANIA  STATE  BOARD  OK  AGRICULTURE. 


SECOND  EDITION,  REVISED  AND  AUGMENTED. 
ILLUSTRATED  BY  ONE  HUNDRED  PLATES. 


Published  by  Authority  of  the  Commonwealth. 


HAEKISBUKG: 

E.   K.   MEYERS,  STATE  PRINTER. 
1890. 


o 


0IOLOGY 

LIBRARY 

G 


COPYRIGHTED.  1890. 


OFFICE  OF  THE  ORNITHOLOGIST  OF  THE 

STATE  BOARD  OF  AGRICULTURE, 
WEST  CHESTER,  PENNA.,  October  1,  1890. 

To  the  Honorable  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the  General 

Assembly  of  Pennsylvania : 

GENTLEMEN  :  I  have  the  honor  to  transmit  herewith  the  revised  edition 
of  the  Keport  on  the  Birds  of  Pennsylvania,  authorized  by  the  act  of 
April  20,  1889. 

B.  H.  WAEREN. 


(iii) 

745192 


Extract  from  an  act  to  provide  for  the  publishing  of  a  revised  edition  of  the  Report 
on  Birds  of  Pennsylvania,  by  the  Ornithologist  of  the  State  Board  of  Agriculture, 
and  the  distribution  of  the  same. 

SECTION  1.  Be  it  enacted,  etc.,  That  there  shall  be  printed  nineteen  thousand 
copies  of  a  revised  edition  of  the  Report  on  Birds  of  Pennsylvania,  by  the  Ornitholo- 
gist of  the  State  Board  of  Agriculture,  size  not  to  exceed  four  hundred  and  fifty  pages 
and  to  be  bound  in  half  morrocco,  and  to  be  distributed  as  follows,  namely  :  Five 
hundred  copies  for  use  of  the  Governor  ;  one  hundred  copies  for  use  of  the  Lieuten- 
ant Governor  ;  two  hundred  copies  for  use  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Commonwealth  ; 
three  hundred  copies  for  use  of  the  State  Librarian  ;  fifty  copies  each  for  use  of  At- 
torney General,  Auditor  General,  State  Treasurer,  Secretary  of  Internal  Affairs,  Su- 
perintendent of  Public  Instruction,  Adjutant  General,  Commissioner  of  Insurance, 
and  Superintendent  of  Public  Printing  and  Binding ;  one  thousand  copies  for  the  use 
of  the  School  Department  for  distribution  to  school  superintendents,  normal  schools, 
and  school  libraries  in  the  commonwealth  ;  six  hundred  copies  for  use  of  the  State 
Board  of  Agriculture  ;  six  hundred  copies  for  use  of  State  Grange  for  distribution 
through  county  pomona  granges  ;  three  hundred  copies  for  use  of  the  Ornithologist 
of  the  State  Board  of  Agriculture  for  distribution  amongst  scientists  ;  five  thousand 
copies  for  use  of  Senate,  and  ten  thousand  copies  for  use  of  the  House,  to  be  deliv- 
ered to  the  members  of  the  present  legislature. 


(iv) 


CONTENTS. 


Page. 

List  of  Plates vii 

Introduction, xi 

Order  Pygopodes— Diving  Birds,     1 

Family  Podicipidae— The  Grebes 1 

Urinatoridse— The  Loons,               6 

Alcidse-The  Auks,  Murres  and  Puffins 8 

Order  Longipennes— Long-winged  Swimmers, 10 

Family  Stercorariidae— The  Jaegers, 10 

Laridae— The  Gulls  and  Terns 13 

Ryuchopidae— The  Skimmers 24 

Order  Tubinares— Tube-nosed  Swimmers,        25 

Family  Procellariidae-The  Shearwaters  and  Petrels 25 

Order  Steganopodes— Totipalmate  Swimmers,       28 

Family  Phalacrocoracidae— The  Cormorants, 28 

Pelecanidse— The  Pelicans 29 

Order  Anseres— Lamellirostral  Swimmers, 30 

Family  Anatidae— The  Ducks,  Geese  and  Swans 30 

Order  Herodiones— Herons,  Egrets,  etc 53 

Family  Ibididae-The  Ibises 53 

Ciconiidae— The  Wood  Ibises,  . 53 

Ardeidae— The  Herons,  Bitterns,  etc., 54 

Order  Paludicolae— Rails,  Coots,  etc., 67 

Rallidae-The  Rails,  Gallinules,  etc 67 

Order  Limicolae— Shore  Birds 75 

Family  Phalaropodidae— The  Phalaropes,    ... 75 

Scolopacidae— The  Snipes,  Sandpipers,  etc., 77 

Charadriidae— The  Plovers, 97 

Aphrizidse— The  Turnstones, 103 

Order  Gallinae— Gallinaceous  Birds, 104 

Family  Tetraonidae— The  Grouse.  Partridges,  etc., 104 

Phasianidae— The  Turkeys, 109 

Order  Columbae— Pigeons,  •               110 

Family  Col umbidae— Pigeons, 110 

Order  Raptores- Birds  of  Prey,             114 

Family  Cathartidae— The  American  Vultures 114 

Falconidae— The  Hawks,  Eagles,  etc 117 

Strigidae— The  Barn  Owls 144 

Bubonidaa— The  Horned  Owls,  etc 146 

Order  Coccyges— Cuckoos,  etc., 159 

Family  Cuculidae— The  Cuckoos, 159 

Alcedinidse— The  Kingfishers, 162 

Order  Pici— Woodpeckers,      164 

Family  Picidae— The  Woodpeckers, 164 

Insects  that  Woodpeckers  eat 176 

Order  Macrochires-Goatsuckers,  Swifts, 178 

Family  Caprimulgidae— The  Whip-poor-will  and  Nighthawk, 178 

Micropodidas— Swifts, 182 

Trochilidae— Hummingbirds,     183 

Order  Passeres— Perching  Birds, .  .         186 

Family  Tyrannida?— The  Flycatchers,    ....      186 

Alaudidse— Larks, 197 

Corvidae— The  Crows  and  Jays 198 

Icteridse-The  Blackbirds,  Orioles,  etc 205 

Fringillidse—  The  Finches,  Sparrows,  etc 224 

Tanagridae— The  Tanagers, 250 

(v) 


vi  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


Page. 
Order  Passeres—  Continued. 

Family  Hirundinidae— The  Swallows, 252 

Am  pelidie— The  Wax  wings, 257 

Laniidae-The  Shrikes 259 

Vireonidte— The  Vireos, 262 

Mniotiltidte— The  Wood- Warblers 267 

Motacillidae-The  Wagtails 303 

Troglodytidae— The  Wrens,  Thrashers,  etc , 304 

Certhiidae— The  Creepers, 313 

Paridae— The  Nuthatches  and  Tits 314 

Sylviidae— The  Kinglets  and  Gnatcatchers, 320 

Turdidae— The  Thrushes,  Bluebirds,  etc., 324 


APPENDIX. 

Birds  of  Prey  and  the  "  Scalp  "  act  of  June  23, 1885 333 

Food  of  Hawks  and  Owls, 346 

The  Food  of  Crows, 367 

The  English  Sparrow, 394 

Some  Nocturnal  Migrants, 400 

Protection  of  Birds, 493 

List  of  Authorities, .     .......  404 

Glossary  of  Technical  Terms. 4H 


Index, 


425 


LIST  OF  PLATES. 


The  greater  part  of  the  illustrations  in  this  report  have  been  copied  (some  alterations  as  to 
positions,  etc.,  have  been  made  in  nearly  all)  from  the  small  edition  of  "Audubon's  Birds  of 
America."  By  copying  from  said  work  which  is  regarded  by  competent  critics  as  containing 
many  of  the  finest  portrayals  of  birds  that  have  ever  been  published,  the  cost  (ten  to  twenty-five 
dollars  per  plate)  of  original  drawings  was  saved.  The  birds— most  of  the  smaller  species  are 
about  two-thirds  or  one-half  the  natural  size ;  in  larger  species  the  reductions  are  greatei*— have 
been  colored  from  specimens  in  the  author's  collection,  or  from  those  kindly  loaned  to  him  by 
Prof.  Robert  Ridgway,  Curator  Department  of  Birds,  United  States  National  Museum,  Wash- 
ington, D.  C.  Notwithstanding  the  fact  that  the  "  order  to  print "  restricted  the  number  of 
colors,  the  lithographer  has,  with  the  most  careful  efforts,  succeeded  in  doing  his  work  so  ac- 
curately, that  with  a  very  few  exceptions  the  reproductions  are  superior  to  the  originals. 

Plates. 

1.  Figures  illustrating  terms  used  in  descriptions. 

2.  Horned  Grebe  (Colymbus  auritus). 

3.  Hooded  Merganser  (Lophodytes  cucullatus). 

4.  Wood  Duck  (Aix  sponsa). 

5.  American  Bittern  (Botaurus  lentiginosus). 

6.  Black-crowned  Night  Heron  (Nycticorax  nycticorax  ncwius). 

7.  Sora  (Porzana  Carolina). 

8.  American  Coot  (Fulica  americina). 

9.  Wilson's  Snipe  (Gallinago  delicata). 

10.  Solitary  Sandpiper  (Totanus  solitaries). 

11.  Killdeer  (^gialitis  vocifera). 

12.  Bob-white  or  Partridge  (Colinus  virginianus). 

13.  Marsh  Hawk  (Circus  hudsonius). 

U.    Sharp-shinned  Hawk  (Accipiter  velox). 

15.  Red-tailed  Hawk  (Buteo  borealis). 

16.  -Broad-winged  Hawk  (Buteo  latissimus). 
Sparrow  Hawk  (Falco  sparverius). 

17.  Barn  Owl  (Strix  pratincola). 

18.  Screech  Owl  (Megascops  asio). 

19 .  G reat  Horned  Owl  (Bubo  virginianus) . 
Yellow-throated  Vireo  ( Vireo  flavifrons) 
Blue-winged  Warbler  (Helminthophila  pinus). 

20 .  Belted  Kingfisher  (  Ceryle  alcyon ) . 

21.  Red-headed  Woodpecker  ( Melanerpes  erythrocephalus) 

22.  Flicker  (Colaptes  auratus). 

23.  Nighthawk  (Chordeiles  virginianus). 
Whip-poor-will  (Antrostomus  vociferus) . 

24.  Kingbird  (Tyrannus  tyrannus}. 

25.  Blue  Jay  (Cyanocitta  cristata). 

26.  Bobolink  or  Reedbird  (Dolichonyx  oryzivorus). 

27.  Red-winged  Blackbird  (Agelaius  phceniceus). 

28.  Meadowlark  (Sturnella  magna). 

29.  Baltimore  Oriole  (Icterus  galbula). 

30.  Purple  Finch  (Carpodacus  purpureus). 
Chipping  Sparrow  (Spizella  socialis). 
Song  Sparrow  (Melospiza  fasciata). 

81.    American  Goldfinch  (Spinus  tristis). 

Pine  Finch  (Spinus  pinus). 

Fox  Sparrow  (Passerella  iliaca). 
32.    Vesper  Sparrow  (Pooccetes  gramineus). 

Field  Sparrow  (Spizella  pusilla). 

Yellow-winged  Sparrow  (Ammodramus  savannarum  passerinus). 


viii  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


Plate*. 

33.  English  Sparrow  (Passer  domesticus). 
Snowbird  (Junco  hyemalis). 

34 .  Cardinal  or  Winter  Red- bird  ( Cardinalis  cardinalis). 

35.  Rose-breasted  Grosbeak  (Hdbia  ludoviciana). 

36.  Indigo  Bunting  (Passerina  cyanea). 

37 .  Scarlet  Tanager  ( Piranga  erythromelas) . 

38.  Tree  or  White  Bellied  Swallow  (Tachycineta  bicolor). 

39.  Cedar  Waxwing  (Ampelis  cedrorum). 

40.  Red-eyed  Vireo  ( Vireo  olivaceus). 

41.  Yellow  Warbler  (Dendroica  cestiva). 

42.  Maryland  Yellow-throat  (Oeothlypis  trichas). 

43.  American  Redstart  (Setophaga  ruticttla). 

44 .  Brown  Thrush  ( Harporhynchus  rufus) . 

45.  House  Wren  (Troglodytes  aedon). 

46.  White-breasted  Nuthatch  (Sitta  carolinensis). 

47.  Chickadee  or  Black-cap  Titmouse  (Parus  atricapiUus). 

48.  Golden-crested  or  Crowned  Kinglet  (Regulus  satrapa). 

49.  American  Robin  (Merula  migratoria). 

50.  Bluebird  (Sialia  nialis). 

51.  Loon  (Urinatar  imber). 

52.  Bonaparte's  Gull  (Larus  Philadelphia). 

53.  Least  Tern  (Sterna  antiUarum). 

54.  Cliff  Swallow  (Petrochelidon  lunifrons). 
Barn  Swallow  (Chelidon  erythrogaster). 

55 .  G  reen  H  eron  (Ardea  virescem ) . 

56.  Ruby-throated  Hummingbird  (TrochUus  colubris) 

57.  American  Crow  (Corvus  americanus). 
Cowbird  (Molothrus  oter,) 

58.  Purple  Martin  (Progne  suMs). 
Red-breasted  Nuthatch  (Sitta  canadensis). 

59.  American  Golden-eye  ( Glaucionett a  clangula  americana). 

60.  Green-winged  Teal  (Anas  carolinensis.) 
Buffle-head  (Charitonetta  albeola). 

61.  Purple  Grackle  (Quiscalus  quiscula). 
Bronzed  Grackle  (Quiscalus  quiscula  ceneus). 

62.  Red  Head  (Aythya  americana). 
Lesser  Scaup  Duck  (Aythya  afflnis). 
Old-squaw  (Clangula  hyemalis), 

63.  Ruddy  Duck  (Erismatura  rubida). 

64.  Wild  Goose  (Branta  canadensis). 

65.  Ruffed  Grouse  (Bonasa  umbellus). 

66.  Florida  Gallinule  (Oallinula  galeata). 
Pectoral  Sandpiper  (Tringa  maculata). 

67.  Turkey  Vulture  (Cathartes  aura). 
Cooper's  Hawk  (Accipiter  cooperi). 

68.  Bartramian  Sandpiper  (Bartramia  longicauda).    » 

69.  Great  Blue  Heron  (Ardea  herodias.) 

70.  Pileated  Woodpecker  (Ceoptilccus  pileatus). 

71.  Passenger  Pigeon  (Ectrtpistes  migratfrrtus), 
Mourning  Dove  (Zenaldura  macroura). 

72.  Catbird  ( Oaleoscoptes  carolinensis). 
Winter  Wren  (Troglodytes  hiemalis). 
Carolina  Wren  (Thryotliorus  ludovicianus) . 

73.  Bay-breasted  Warbler  (Dendroica  castanea). 
Chestnut-sided  Warbler  (Dendroicapensylvanica). 

74.  Wild  Turkey  (Meleagrisgallopavo). 

75.  Orchard  Oriole  (Icterus  spurius). 

76.  Hairy  Woodpecker  (Dry abates  villosus). 
Downy  Wood  pecker  (Dryobates  pubescens). 
Red-bellied  Woodpecker  (Melanerpes  carolinus). 

77.  Yellow-bellied  Woodpecker  (Sphyrapicus  varius). 

78.  Virginia  Rail  (Rallus  virginianus) . 
Least  Sandpiper  (Tringa  minutilla). 

79     American  Woodcock  (Philohela  minor). 

80.    American  Osprey  (Pandion  haliaitus carolinensis). 


LIST  OF  PLATES.  ix 


Plates. 

81 .  Greater  Yellow-legs  ( Totanus  melanoleucus) . 
Spotted  Sandpiper  (Actitismacularia). 
Semipalmated  Sandpiper  (Ereunetes  pusillus). 

82.  American  Golden  Plover  (Charadrius  dominicus). 
Turnstone  (Arenaria  interpres). 

83.  American  Goshawk  (Accipiter  atricapttlus). 

84.  Bald  Eagle  (Haliceetus  leucocephalus). 

85.  Duck  Hawk  (Falco  peregrinus  anatuin). 
Pigeon  Hawk  (Falco columbarium). 

86.  American  Long-eared  Owl  (Asio  wfbnnianu*). 
Short-eared  Owl  (Asioaccipitnnus). 

87.  Barred  Owl  (Syrnium  nebulosum). 
Saw-whet  Owl  (Nyctala  acadica). 

88.  Snowy  Owl  (Nyctea  nyctea). 

89.  Yellow-billed  Cuckoo  (Coccyzus  americanus). 
Black-billed  Cuckoo  (Coccyzus  erythrophthalmus). 

90.  Chimney  Swift  (Chcetura  pelagica). 
Bank  Swallow  (Clivicola  riparia). 

91.  Crested  Flycatcher  (Myiarchus  crinitus). 
Phoebe  (Sayornis  phcebe). 

Wood  Pewee  (Contopus  wrens). 

Acadian  Flycatcher  (Empidonax  acadicus). 

92.  Evening  Grosbeak  (Coccothraustes  vespertina.) 
Brown  Creeper  (Certhia  familiaris  americana). 
Black  and  White  Warbler  (Mniotilta  varia). 

93.  American  Pine  Grosbeak  (Pinicola  enucleator  canadensfa). 
American  Crossbill  (Loxia  curvirostra  minor). 
White-winged  Crossbill  (Loxia  leucoptera*). 

9*.    Tree  Sparrow  (Spizella  m&nticola). 
Snowflake  (Plectrophenax  nivalis). 
Magnolia  Warbler  (Dendroica  maculosa). 
Worm-eating  Warbler  (Hclmitherus  vermivorus). 

95.  White-throated  Sparrow  (Zonotrichia  alMcollis). 
White-crowned  Sparrow  (Zonotrichia  leucophrys). 
Towhee  (Pipilo  erythroplithalmus). 

Water  Thrush  (Seiurus  noveboracensis). 

96.  Northern  Shrike  (Lanius  borealis). 
Loggerhead  Shrike  (Lanius  ludovicianus) . 
Yellow-breasted  Chat  (Icteria  virens). 
Gray-cheeked  Thrush  (Turdus  alicice). 

97.,  Black-throated  Green  Warbler  (Dendroica  virens). 

Black-throated  Blue  Warbler  (Dendroica  ccerulescens). 
Parula  (Compsothlypis  americana). 

98.  Hooded  Warbler  (Sylvania  mitrata) 
Myrtle  Warbler  (Dendroica  coronata). 
Kentucky  Warbler  (Oeothlypsis  formosa) 
Blackburnian  Warbler  (Dendroica  blackbumice). 

99.  Tufted  Titmouse  (Parus  bicolor). 
Mocking  bird  (Mimus  polyglottos) . 
Oven  bird  (Seiurus  aurocapillus). 

100.    Wood  Thrush  ( Turdus  mustelinus ) . 

Olive-backed  Thrush  ( Turdus  ustulatus  swainsonii). 
Hermit  Thrush  (Turdus  aonalaschkce  paUasii). 
Wilson's  Thrush  (Turdus  fuscescens). 


<*) 


INTRODUCTION. 


The  State  of  Pennsylvania  is  situated  between  39°  43'  and  42°  15' 
north  latitude,  and  between  74°  42'  and  80°  35'  west  longitude  from 
Greenwich.  It  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  New  York  and  Lake  Erie; 
on  the  east  by  New  York  and  New  Jersey,  being-  separated  from  the 
latter  state  by  the  Delaware  river.  Its  length  from  east  to  west  is  about 
three  hundred  and  ten  miles,  and  about  one  hundred  and  sixty  miles  in 
width  ("  except  at  the  angle  at  Lake  Erie  where  it  is  one  hundred  and 
seventy-five ").  It  contains  an  area  of  28,808,443  acres,  of  which  only 
about  15,004,962  were  improved  in  1889. 

"FACE  OF  THE  COUNTRY. — No  state  in  the  Union  presents  a  greater  variety  of  sur- 
face than  Pennsylvania.  Though  they  do  not  rise  to  any  great  elevation  (seldom 
above  2,000  feet),  its  mountains  spread  over  about  one-fourth  of  the  state  in  parallel 
ridges,  in  a  direction  generally  from  northeast  to  southwest,  and  occupy  the  south- 
ern, central  and  eastern  counties.  Though  all  forming  parts  of  the  great  Appala- 
chian chain,  they  are  known  by  various  local  appellations.  Commencing  below 
Easton,  on  the  Delaware,  we  have  the  South  mountain  ;  then  in  order,  proceeding 
wes.t  or  northwest,  the  Blue  or  Kittatinny  mountain  (both  entering  the  state  from 
New  Jersey,  and  passing  southwest  into  Maryland),  and  the  Broad  mountain, 
which  lies  south  of  the  North  Branch  of  the  Susquehanna.  We  now  cross  the  river 
just  mentioned,  but  still  have  with  us  the  Broad  mountain,  under  the  name  of  the 
Tuscarora ;  passing  which,  we  come  (upon  another  ridge,  lying  mostly  south  of  the 
Juniata  river,  known  as  Sideling  Hill ;  which  is  succeeded  in  turn  by  the  Allegheny 
mountains  proper,  the  dividing  ridge  between  the  Atlantic  slope  and  the  Mississippi 
valley.  Descending  the  very  gradual  Ohio  slope,  we  cross  two  inferior  but  well- 
defined  chains,  known  as  Laurel  and  Chestnut  Ridges.  As  before  stated,  these 
mountains  do  not  rise  to  a  great  height ;  the  South  mountain  is  within  1,000,  and  the 
Blue  mountains  within  1,500  feet.  Broad  mountain  is  said  to  rise  higher  above  its 
immediate  base  than  the  Allegheny  range,  but  to  be  inferior  to  them  in  elevation 
above  the  sea.  These  different  ranges  are  separated  by  valleys,  now  contracted 
within  narrow  limits,  and  now  spreading  out  to  a  width  of  from  fifteen  to  thirty 
miles.  The  entire  belt  in  Pennsylvania  spreads  over  a  space  of  two  hundred  miles — 
the  greatest  breadth  the  Allegheny  range  attains  in  its  whole  course  from  Maine  to 
Alabama.  In  the  southern  part  of  the  state  the  mountains  become  high  and  rug- 
ged hills ;  the  west  is  also  hilly,  and  the  southeast  and  northwest  moderately  so,  but 
occasionally  level.  The  rivers  of  the  western  part  of  the  state,  cutting  their  way 
through  the  table-land,  present  sometimes  precipitous  shores  of  several  hundred 
feet  in  height,  and  many  valleys  bear  evident  marks  of  their  having  been  formed 
by  running  water." 

(xi) 


xii  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

"CLIMATE.— The  climate  of  Pennsylvania  is  variable,  and  liable  to  sudden  extremes, 
having  sometimes  the  heat  of  the  Carolinas,  and  at  others  the  cold  of  Canada,  but  in 
periods  generally  of  only  three  days,  intermingled  in  summer  with  sharp  winds 
from  the  northwest,  and  mitigated  in  winter  by  the  milder  breezes  from  the  south- 
west Periods  of  warm  weather  sometimes  occur  in  January  and  February.  *  *  * 
The  mountainous  region  has  a  greater  degree  of  cold,  and  the  snows  are  deeper  and 
lie  longer  than  in  other  portions.  In  the  west  the  climate  is  milder  and  less  vari- 
able than  in  the  east" 

"  RIVERS,  LAKES,  ETC.— The  only  lake  of  importance  in  this  state  is  Lake  Erie, 
which  forms  its  northwest  boundary  for  about  fifty  miles.  The  Delaware,  which 
rises  in  the  southeast  part  of  New  York,  and  flows  southerly,  separates  New  York 
and  New  Jersey  from  Pennsylvania  and  Delaware,  and  empties  into  Delaware  Bay. 
It  is  navigable  for  large  ships  to  Philadelphia,  about  ninety-six  miles  from  the  sea, 
and  for  sloops  and  steamboats  to  Trenton,  thirty  miles  further  up.  The  Susque- 
hanna, the  largest  river  in  the  state,  enters  Pennsylvania  from  New  York,  and  flow- 
ing southerly  for  four  hundred  miles,  crosses  the  entire  state,  dividing  it  into  two 
unequal  portions,  having  the  larger  part  on  the  west  This  river  is  not  navigable, 
except  at  high- water  in  the  spring  and  autumn,  when  large  quantities  of  timber  are 
floated  down  it  in  rafts.  *  *  *  Owing  to  its  rapid  descent  to  within  a  few  miles  of 
the  Chesapeake  Bay,  into  which  it  flows,  it  is  but  little  affected  by  the  tides.  Its 
principal  tributaries  are  the  West  Branch  and  Juniata  from  the  west,  and  the  Swatara 
and  Conestoga  from  the  east  Between  the  Susquehanna  and  Delaware  are  the 
Lehigh  and  Schuylkill,  affluents  of  the  Delaware,  and  each  about  one  hundred  miles 
in  length.  The  Ohio,  which  is  formed  by  the  union  of  the  Allegheny  from  the 
north,  and  the  Monongahela  from  the  south,  drains  the  western  part  of  the  state, 
having  about  fifty  miles  of  its  course  in  Pennsylvania.  It  is  navigable  for  large 
steamboats  to  its  head  at  Pittsburgh.  The  Allegheny  is  about  three  hundred  and 
the  Monongahela  two  hundred  miles  in  length,  and  both,  at  high-water,  are  navi- 
gable, the  former  two  hundred  and  the  latter  sixty  miles,  for  small  steamers.  The 
Youghiogheny,  a  branch  of  the  Monongahela,  and  the  Beaver,  a  branch  of  the  Ohio, 
are  small  rivers.  Canals  coast  most  of  these  rivers,  except  the  Monongahela  and 
Youghiogheny,  to  a  greater  or  less  extent"—  LippincoWs  Gazetteer. 

Lake  Erie  is  the  only  lake  of  commercial  importance,  but  there  are  nume- 
rous small  lakes  in  many  parts  of  the  state,  especially  in  the  counties 
of  Susquehanna,  Wayne,  Pike  and  Wyoming,  where  different  kinds 
of  water  fowl  repair  during-  migrations.  Although  numerous  species  of 
aquatic  birds  visit  Conneaut  Lake,  in  Crawford  county,  and  Lake  Pleasant, 
in  Erie  county,  they  are  found  in  greater  numbers  at  Presque  Isle  Bay 
(also  called  Erie  Bay)  than  elsewhere  in  the  state. 

In  this  present  work  the  classification,  nomenclature  and  geographical 
limits  correspond  with  the  A.  O.  U.  Check  List  of  North  American  Birds,* 
a  publication  representing  the  joint  labors  of  a  "  Committee  on  Classifi- 
sation  and  Nomenclature  "  appointed  by  the  Union  at  its  first  congress, 
held  in  New  York  city,  September  26-29,  1883.  This  committee  con- 
sisting of  such  eminent  naturalists  as  Dr.  Elliott  Coues,  J.  A.  Allen,  Bobert 
Ridgway,  William  Brewster,  and  H.  W.  Henshaw. 


•The  Code  of  Nomenclature  |  and  1  Check  List  |  of  North  American  Birds.  |  Adopted  by  the  American 
Ornithologists'  Union.  |  Being  the  Report  of  the  Committee  of  the  Union  on  Classification  and  Nomen- 
clature. |  (Motto.)  | |  New  York  :  |  American  Ornithologists'  Union.  |  1880.  [8  vo.  pp.  i-viii  1-392 

For  sale  by  L.  8.  Foster.  No.  35  Pine  street.  New  York  city.     Price  $3.00. 


xiv  INTRODUCTION. 

In  order  that  the  descriptions  of  birds  on  the  succeeding  pages  may 
be  clearly  understood,  the  figures  on  Plate  1,  with  the  following  ex- 
planations are  given  : 

1.  Maxilla  or  upper  mandible. 

2.  Lower  mandible. 

3.  Forehead ;  also  called  front  and  frons. 

4.  Iris  (Plural  irides):  Colored  circle  of  the  eye  around  the  "dark 

spot"  or  pupil. 

5.  Upper  part  of  throat  including  chin. 

6.  Lower  part  of  throat  or  foreneck  :  Jugulum 

7.  Breast  or  pectus,  also  spoken  of  as  pectoral  region. 

8.  Wing-coverts  (Greater,  Middle  and  Lesser). 

9.  Bastard  or  spurious  wing  or  Alula  composed  of  the  feathers  grow- 

ing on  the  so-called  thumb. 

10.  Occiput ;  back  part  of  head. 

11.  Tertiaries,  Tertials,  or  tertiary  quills  are  the  large  inner  quills 

that  grow  from  the  humerus  (arm- bone)  or  elbow,  and  in  the 
closed  wing  are  generally  concealed  by  the  longer  scapular 
feathers. 

12.  Scapulars  or  scapular  feathers. 

13.  Abdomen  or  belly ;  under  surface  of  body  from  breast- bone  to 

vent. 

14.  Lower  tail  coverts  ;  crissum. 

15.  Crown  or  top  of  head. 

A.  Culmen.    The  ridge  of  upper  mandible. 

B.  Cere.    The  naked  skin  at  base  of  bill,  well  shown  in  Hawks. 

C.  Lore  or  loral  space  between  the  bill  and  eye. 

D.  Gape  or  rictus. 

S.  Commissure  ;  outlines  of  closed  bill. 

The  additional  technical  terms  — the  definitions  of  some  of  which 
are  compiled  from  ^Ridgwatfs  Nomenclature  of  Colors"*— sue  also 
employed. 

Ear-covert*  rr  Auriculars.    Feathers  covering  the  ear-opening.    Axilla.    Arm-pit. 

Alar  extent.  Measurement  of  outstretched  wings.    Apiaries  or  Axlllars    The  (generally)  soft 

I  lengthened  feathers  growing  from  the  armpit :  Adult.  This  term  is  applied  to  individuals 

which  have  attained  full  or  mature  plumage  ( "  a  bird  may  be  adult  as  regards  organization  with- 

;ing  of  adult  plumage  "  ) :  Bend  of  the  Wing.  Angle  or  prominence  formed  at  the  carpus 

*A  |  Nomenclature  of  Colors  |  for  naturalists  |  and  |  compendium  of  useful  knowledge  |  for  or- 
tbologists,  |  by  Robert  Ridgway,  |  curator.  Department  of  Birds,  United  States  National  Mu- 
seum, |  with  ten  colored  plates  and  seven  plates  of  outline  illustrations.  |  Boston:  |  Little,  Brown, 
and  Company.  1 1886.  |  Price  $3.00, 


Plate  J. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


ORDER  PYGOPODES.    DIVING  Brai)S; ; 

SUBORDER  PODICIPEDES.     GREBES. 
FAMILY  PODICIPID-ffi.     GREBES. 

THE  GREBES. 

Grebes  during  the  spring  and  fall  migrations  are  very  generally  distributed 
throughout  the  state,  and  during  niild  winters  birds  of  this  family  are  often  seen 
about  the  larger  lakes,  ponds  and  rivers  in  different  sections  of  the  commonwealth. 
Although  these  birds  are  generally  observed  singly  or  in  pairs,  occasionally,  a  good- 
sized  flock  is  to  be  found.  In  relation  to  the  Grebes  in  general  it  can  be  stated  that, 
unless  flying,  they  are  almost  always  to  be  seen  in  the  water.  The  several  species 
of  this  family,  owing  to  the  posterior  situation  of  their  legs,  move  with  considerable 
difficulty  when  on  the  ground,  over  which  they  go  in  a  slow,  floundering  manner. 
Grebes,  like  some  other  kinds  of  aquatic  birds  when  wounded,  will  conceal  them- 
selves in  weeds  and  grasses,  which  grow  so  luxuriantly  in  their  favorite  watery 
retreats,  where  they  will  remain  for  a  considerable  period  of  time  with  only  their 
slender,  tapering  bills  above  the  water's  surface.  They  swim  and  dive  with  the 
utmost  facility  ;  when  swimming  beneath  the  water's  surface,  either  in  quest  of  prey 
or  to  escape  capture,  it  is  said  they  use  their  wings  in  the  same  manner  as  when 
flying  in  the  air.  Their  well-known  habit  of  diving  when  alarmed,  and  particularly 
if  shot  at,  has  won  for  them  the  common  name  of  u  Hell-divers."  The  Grebe's  nest 
consists  of  a  thick,  matted  mass  of  vegetation,  such  as  reeds,  flags,  grasses,  etc. 
Sometimes  the  nest  is  built  close  to  the  water,  but  usually,  according  to  Mr.  Ridg- 
way,*  it  is  to  be  found  "floating  upon  the  surface  of  the  water  in  grassy  or  sedgy 
ponds  or  marshes."  The  same  eminent  authority  describes  the  eggs  as  follows  : 
"2-5,  dull  white,  bluish  white,  or  very  pale  bluish  green,  usually  stained  more  or 
less  (often  quite  deeply)  with  light  brown,  by  contact  with  decomposed  vegetable 
matter."  With  the  exception  of  the  Pied-billed  Grebe  (Podilymbus  podiceps),  rep- 
resentatives of  this  family  occurring  in  Pennsylvania  breed,  generally,  north  of  the 
United  States.  Grebes  subsist  chiefly  on  fishes,  frogs,  various  aquatic  insects — 
especially  beetles— and  to  a  limited  extent  on  different  water  plants.  They  confer 
no  special  benefits,  nor  are  they  in  any  particular  detrimental  to  agricultural  inter- 
ests. Their  flesh,  quite  tough  and  disagreeable  to  the  taste,  is  seldom  eaten,  the 
feathers,  however,  are  considerably  used  by  milliners,  and  by  furriers  for  muffs,  etc. 
For  these  purposes  the  beautiful  silvery-white  plumage  of  the  breast  and  abdomen 
is  taken. 

Bill  acute  and  hard,  variable  in  length,  straight  or  decurved  at  end  ;  higher  than 
wide.  Head  with  a  naked  loral  space,  and  furnished  either  with  bristly  or  variously 
elongated  feathers,  usually  called  tufts  or  crests.  These  crests,  which  render  the 


*  A  |  Manual  |  of  |  North  Americun  Birds.  |  by  |  Robert  Ridgway.  |  illustrated  by4«4  outline  drawings  of 
the  generic  characters.  |  Philadelphia.  |  J.  B.  Lippincott  Company.  |  1887  |  . 

1  BIRDS. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


birds  especially  conspicuous,  are  commonly  seen  in  specimens  taken  during  the 
spring  migrations  or  in  the  breeding  season.  Adults  of  both  sexes  are  adorned  with 
the  parti-colored  head,  crests  or  ruffs,  which  disappear,  however,  when  the  birds 
assume  their  winter  dress.  The  young,  in  winter,  as  well  as  the  old  birds,  are  very 
materially  different  from  the  adults  in  their  nuptial  plumage.  Tail  represented  by 
a  small  tuft  of  downy  feathers.  Feet  four-toed,  all  broadly  lobed,  but  not  webbed  ; 
the  three  front  toes  are  connected  at  base  by  webs  ;  hind  toe,  short  free  and  elevated. 
Claws  wide,  flat  and  short,  that  of  hind  toe  being  very  small.  The  peculiar  paddle- 
like  toes  and  the  rudimentary  tail  will  readily  enable  one  to  recognize  a  member  of 
thfe'G-re  be  family.;  ;  • 


COLYMBUS  LINNAEUS. 
Colymbus  holbcellii  (REINH.). 

Holboell's  Grebe. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Adult.  —  Bill  about  two  inches  long,  acute  and  tapering,  somewhat  shorter  than  the 
head  and  a  trifle  shorter  than  the  tarsus  ;  upper  mandible  black  except  tomia  at  base 
and  portion  of  base  at  sides  which  is  yellow.  Lower  mandible  chiefly  yellow  except 
on  sides  which  are  dark  bluish  or  nearly  black.  Narrow,  naked  and  blackish  strip 
extending  from  eyes  to  bill  ;  legs  and  feet  blackish  on  outside,  greenish  yellow  011 
inside.  Top  of  head  and  back  of  neck  black,  with  a  greenish  tint  and  somewhat 
glossy  ;  the  glossy  green  hue  fades  gradually  at  back  of  neck.  Feathers  of  upper 
parts  brownish-black,  more  or  less  glossy  and  edged  with  grayish  ;  primaries  brown- 
ish ;  secondaries  white  with  black  or  brown  shafts,  some  secondaries  are  tipped  with 
brownish.  Throat  and  side  of  head  ash-gray,  the  latter  separated  from  black  of  head 
by  a  white  streak  extending  from  under  eye  backward  ;  feathers  about  lower  man- 
dible are  also  quite  white  ;  front  of  neck  and  especially  the  sides  reddish  brown  ; 
lining  of  the  wings  white.  Under  parts  silvery  white,  more  or  less  mottled  with 
grayish,  sides  dusky.  In  some  specimens  the  rich  reddish-brown  on  sides  of  neck 
extends  in  small  patches  over  the  upper  part  of  breast.  Crests  or  rufts  but  slightly 
developed. 

Adult  in  winter  and  young.  —  Upper  bill  blackish-horn,  yellowish  at  base  and 
on  tomial  edges  ;  lower  bill  mainly  yellowish  ;  eyes  dark  ;  crests  hardly  notice- 
able ;  upper  parts  brownish-black,  head  quite  black  ;  throat,  sides  of  head  and 
abdomen  white  ;  front  part  of  neck  and  sides  brownish-ash.  Length  about  18| 
inches  ;  extent  about  32. 

Habitat.—  North  America  at  large,  including  Greenland.  Also  eastern  Siberia 
and  southward  to  Japan.  Breeds  in  high  latitudes,  migrating  south  in  winter. 

This  bird,  the  largest  of  all  the  Grebe  family  found  in  Pennsylvania, 
migrates  far  northward  to  rear  its  young.  Mr.  E.  W.  Nelson,  in  his 
"Report  upon  Natural  History  Collections  made  in  Alaska"  states  that 
"  this  species  was  not  uncommon  along  the  coast  of  Norton  Sound  in  the 
fall,  and  a  few  isolated  pairs  nested  each  summer  in  the  marshes. 
Along  the  course  of  the  Yukon  they  are  much  more  common,  and  breed 
in  considerable  numbers."  Holboell's  Grebe,  called  also  the  Bed-necked 
Grebe,  is  by  no  means  as  common  with  us  as  either  of  the  other  species 
hereafter  mentioned.  Specimens  of  this  bird  have  been  taken  in  differ- 
ent parts  of  the  state  during  the  spring,  fall  and  winter  months.  From 
information  which  I  have  received,  through  the  courtesy  of  naturalists 
and  collectors  in  all  sections  of  the  state,  it  is  learned  that  in  the  past 
twenty-five  years  only  about  a  dozen  of  these  Grebes  have  been  cap- 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


tured,  identified  and  preserved  in  our  commonwealth,  and  these,  with 
perhaps  two  or  three  exceptions,  have  been  secured  on  the  Susquehanna 
and  Allegheny  rivers.  In  the  spring  of  1888  Mr.  George  P.  Friant,  re- 
siding at  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  obtained  a  fine  adult  male  of  this 
species  which  had  killed  itself  by  flying  through  the  glass  in  a  green- 
house of  one  of  his  neighbors.  Mr.  James  S.  Nease,  a  careful  collector, 
residing  in  Washington,  Pennsylvania,  has  observed  this  bird  in  his 
county  only  as  a  rare  winter  visitor. 

Mr.  August  Koch,  the  well-known  Ly coming  county  (Penna.)  natur- 
alist, in  a  letter  of  June  26,  1889,  addressed  to  me,  says,  in  reference  to 
Holbcell's  Grebe,  "  I  know  of  three  instances  only,  when  taken  in  our 
locality  (yet  it  may  occur  often).  The  first  time  in  winter  about  twenty 
years  ago ;  next  in  the  spring  of  1886,  when  nine  of  these  birds  were 
noticed  in  a  flock  and  several  taken.  My  specimen  is  a  male  in  spring 
dress.  Another  male  in  full  winter  plumage  was  kindly  left  to  my  dis- 
position by  Mr.  Charles  H.  Eldon;  it  was  taken  the  winter  of  1888." 
Mr.  L.  M.  Turner,  of  Arctic  fame,  in  his  "  'Contributions  to  the  Natural 
History  of  A  laska"  remarks  that  "the  Eskimo  name  of  this  Grebe  is 
E-td-td-tuk,  from  its  note  ta-ta-ta"  The  stomachs  of  two  of  these  birds 
examined  by  me  contained  principally  sand,  blades  of  grass,  small  roots 
and  feathers. 

Colymbus  auritus  LINN. 

Horned  Grebe ;  Dipper  Duck  ;  Little  Hell  Diver ;  Little  Fish  Duck. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  #). 

Adult.— Bill  black,  with  yellow  or  whitish  tip,  about  1  inch  long  and  considerably 
shorter  than  head ;  iris  carmine,  with  a  fine  inner  circle  of  white  ;  crests  and  ruffs 
well  developed  ;  head  and  ruff  glossy  black  (in  some  specimens  of  a  greenish  hue). 
A  brownish-yellow  band,  darkest  in  color  between  eyes  and  bill,  runs  over  eyes  and 
unites  writh  long  occipital  tufts  (horns)  of  same  color  ;  plumage  of  upper  parts  dark 
brown,  margined  with  white  and  gray ;  secondaries  chiefly  white ;  primaries 
brownish-gray ;  greater  par,,  of  neck,  upper  breast  and  also  portions  of  the  sides 
reddish-brown,  rest  of  sides  dusky  ;  lining  of  the  wings  white  ;  lower  parts  silvery- 
white  ;  legs  brownish,  yellow  or  greenish  on  inside. 

Young.— Bill  blackish-brown  ;  iris  yellowish  ;  ruffs  and  crests  slightly  developed ; 
upper  parts  brownish-gray  ;  feathers  on  back  more  or  less  edged  with  white  or 
grayish  ;  chin,  throat,  sides  of  head  white  ;  abdomen  and  breast  silvery-white  ;  tarsi 
and  feet  brownish.  Length  about  14  inches ;  extent  about  25  inches. 

Habitat. — Northern  hemisphere.    Breeds  from  northern  United  States  northward. 

This  species  is  recorded  as  quite  a  common  winter  resident  through- 
out the  United  States,  and  although  sometimes  found  nesting  within 
our  northern  limits,  it  retires  chiefly  north  of  the  United  States  during 
the  breeding  period  (middle  of  May  to  middle  of  August).  Audubon 
(Birds  of  America)  states  that  he  found,  in  Ohio,  near  Lake  Erie,  in  the 
month  of  July,  nests  containing  eggs  in  which  incubation  was  well 
advanced.  Dr.  Coues  (Birds  of  the  Northivest)  mentions  that  he  has 
found  it  breeding  at  various  points  in  northern  Dakota,  where,  in  June 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


and  July,  he  secured  both  eggs  and  young-,  the  latter  newly  hatched. 
This  species  is  recorded  by  Mr.  E.  A.  Samuels  as  nesting  in  more  north- 
ern latitudes  than  New  England.  The  Horned  Grebe  is  an  irregular 
sojourner,  in  Pennsylvania,  from  the  middle  of  October  until  early  in 
April.  In  the  months  of  March  and  April  this  Diver  is  usually  more 
numerous  than  at  other  times  during  its  residence  with  us.  Although 
generally  observed  singly  or  in  pairs,  and  sometimes  in  parties  of  four, 
five  or  six,  I  have  seen,  on  three  occasions,  in  the  past  ten  years,  flocks 
numbering  from  twelve  to  twenty-five  of  these  birds,  during  the  spring 
migrations,  on  the  Susquehanna,  Lehigh  and  Delaware  rivers.  Dr. 
Walter  Van  Fleet  and  Burgess  J.  H.  Ferguson,  both  of  Eenovo,  Clinton 
county  (Pa.),  recently  informed  me  that  in  the  latter  part  of  March  or 
early  in  April,  1884,  large  numbers  of  Horned  Grebes  appeared  in  vari- 
ous streams  and  ponds  in  central  Pennsylvania,  and  remained  for  two 
or  three  days  before  passing  northward.  Mr.  Ferguson  says  there  were 
at  least  two  hundred  Grebes  in  the  river  at  Renovo,  where  many  were 
killed  by  gunners.  In  a  small  pool,  less  than  one  rod  across,  Dr.  Van 
Fleet  secured  over  twenty.  Audubon,  writing  of  the  food  of  Horned 
Grebe,  says :  "  I  have  observed  in  the  stomachs  of  almost  all  that  I 
have  examined,  a  quantity  of  hair-like  substances  rolled  together  like 
the  pellets  of  owls,  but  have  not  ascertained  whether  or  not  these  masses 
are  disgorged.  *  *  *  *  The  food  of  this  species,  while  on  salt 
water,  is  composed  of  shrimps,  small  fishes,  and  minute  Crustacea. 
While  on  fresh  water,  they  procure  insects,  leeches,  small  frogs,  tad- 
poles, and  aquatic  lizards;  they  also  pick  up  the  seeds  of  grasses." 
The  stomach-contents  of  nine  of  these  birds  which  I  have  examined  con- 
sisted mainly  of  sand,  remains  of  fish,  beetles  and  frogs  and  portions  of 
green-colored  aquatic  plants.  In  the  stomachs  of  three  specimens  I 
have  found,  in  addition  to  other  food-stuffs,  small  ball-like  masses  of 
feathers. 

I 

GENUS  PODILYMBUS  LESSON. 
Podilymbus  podiceps  (LINN.). 

Pied-billed  Grebe;  Little  Dipper;  Little  Fish  Duck  :  Hell  Diver. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Adult. — Bill  thick,  shorter  than  head  and  higher  than  wide  ;  bristly  frontal  feath- 
ers ;  no  conspicuous  tufts  or  crests  ;  broad  naked  loral  space  ;  bill  (dried  specimen) 
bluish  white,  culrnen  dusky  and  both  mandibles  crossed  with  black  band,  upper 
parts  dark  brown,  darkest  on  head  and  back  ;  chin  and  throat  with  a  long  showy 
black  patch  ;  sides  of  head  and  neck  brownish-gray :  primaries  brownish-ash  ;  sec- 
ondaries grayish  and  white ;  lower  part  of  neck  in  front  and  upper  part  of  breast 
yellowish-brown,  more  or  less  spotted  or  barred  with  black  on  upper  portion  of 
breast ;  sides  darker  with  more  or  less  yellowish  brown ;  lower  part  of  breast  and 
abdomen  satiny-white  ;  iris  brown  ;  tarsi  and  feet  (dried  specimen)  brownish. 

Young. — Bill  (dried  specimen)  brownish  without  black  band  ;  chin  and  throat  pure 
white  ;  neck  in  front  and  on  sides  rusty  mixed  with  white  ;  sides  of  head  brownish 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


with  streaks  of  white ;  lower  part  of  breast  and  abdomen  silky  white  ;  sides  dark 
grayish-brown  ;  feathers  on  upper  part  of  breast  on  sides  brownish-black  edged  with 
rusty  ;  plumage  of  upper  parts  dark  brown,  somewhat  grayish  on  top  of  head  and 
about  nape  of  neck  ;  feathers  on  lower  part  of  neck  and  the  back  are  darkest.  The 
specimen  before  me  has  a  decided  gloss  on  back  feathers  ;  the  feathers  on  the  sides 
about  the  thighs  are  hair-like  in  appearance.  Length  about  13|  inches  ;  extent 
about  22  inches. 

Habitat.— British  provinces  southward  to  Brazil,  Buenos  Ayres  and  Chili,  includ- 
ing the  West  Indies  and  the  Bermudas,  breeding  nearly  throughout  its  range. 

The  Pied-billed  Grebe,  or  Dabchick,  is  a  common  spring  and  fall  vis- 
itor, and  in  winter  it  is  often,  seen,  especially  in  the  southern  counties 
of  the  state.  The  Dabchick  is  the  only  one  of  the  Grebes  which  has 
been  known,  to  naturalists,  with  whom  I  have  corresponded  on  the  mat- 
ter, to  breed  in  Pennsylvania,  but  as  a  native  the  bird  is  rare,  or  if  it 
breeds  at  all  regularly  with  us,  it  retires  to  such  secluded  situations  that 
collectors  rarely  find  it.  In  the  counties  of  Crawford  and  Erie  Mr. 
George  B.  Sennett  has  observed  the  species  as  a  "moderately  common 
spring  and  fall  migrant,"  and  Mr.  August  Koch,  of  Williamsport,  has 
noted  it,  in  his  locality,  only  as  a  spring  and  fall  visitor.  Dr.  John  W. 
Detwiller,  naturalist,  residing  at  Bethlehem,  Northampton  county,  writes 
me  he  has  found  it  breeding  here. 

Prof.  H.  Justin  Roddy,  of  the  Millersville  State  Normal  School,  says : 
This  Grebe  about  ten  years  ago  bred  in  Perry  county,  Pennsylvania. 
The  following  interesting  and  valuable  notes  concerning  the  nesting 
habits  of  the  Pied-billed  Grebe  are  given  by  Mr.  Langdon  in  his  list- 
Summer  Birds  of  a  Northern  Ohio  Marsh  :  "The  little  floating  island 
of  decaying  vegetation  held  together  by  mud  and  moss,  which  consti- 
tutes the  nest  of  this  species,  is  a  veritable  ornithological  curiosity. 
Imagine  a  'pancake'  of  what  appears  to  be  mud,  measuring  twelve  or 
fifteen  inches  in  diameter,  and  rising  two  or  three  inches  above  the 
water,  which  may  be  from  one  to  three  feet  in  depth  ;  anchor  it  to  the 
bottom  with  a  few  concealed  blades  of  'saw-grass,'  in  a  little  open  bay, 
leaving  its  circumference  entirely  free  ;  remove  a  mass  of  wet  muck  from 
its  rounded  top  and  you  expose  seven  or  eight  soiled  brownish-white 
eggs,  resting  in  a  depression  the  bottom  of  which  is  less  than  an  inch 
from  the  water ;  the  whole  mass  is  constantly  damp.  This  is  the  nest 
of  the  Dabchick,  who  is  out  foraging  in  the  marsh,  or  perhaps  is  anx- 
iously watching  us  from  some  safe  corner  near  by. 

"The  anchoring  blades  of  coarse  saw-grass  or  flags,  being  always 
longer  than  is  necessary  to  reach  the  bottom,  permit  of  considerable 
lateral  and  vertical  movement  of  the  nest,  and  effectually  provide  against 
drowning  of  the  eggs  by  any  ordinary  rise  in  the  water-level  such  as 
frequently  occurs  during  the  prevalence  of  strong  easterly  winds  on  the 
lake.  A  small  bunch  of  saw-grass  already  growing  in  a  suitable  situa- 
tion is  evidently  selected  as  a  nucleus  for  the  nest,  and  the  tops  bent  so 
as  to  form  part  of  it. 

"  During  the  day  we  invariably  found  the  eggs  concealed  by  a  cover- 


6  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


ing  of  muck  as  above  described;  but  as  we  ascertained  by  repeated 
visits  at  night  and  in  the  early  morning  they  are  uncovered  at  dusk  by 
the  bird  who  incubates  them  until  the  morning  sun  relieves  her  of  her 
task." 

SUBORDER  CBPPHI.     LOONS  AND  AUKS. 
FAMILY  URINATORID-ffi.    LOONS. 

THE  LOONS. 

Loons  live  almost  habitually  in  the  water  ;  they  dive  with  wonderful  rapidity  and 
skill,  and  are  also  remarkable  for  their  ability  of  swimming  long  distances  under 
the  water,  especially  if  endeavoring  to  elude  their  enemies.  As  divers  they  are  the 
most  expert  of  all  birds.  They  retire  during  the  summer  season  to  high  boreal  re- 
gions to  rear  their  young,  and  as  cold  weather  advances  migrate  southward.  During 
migrations  Loons  are  most  numerous  about  our  seacoasts  and  on  the  large  lakes  in 
the  interior.  Like  the  Grebes  they  move  over  the  ground  in  a  slow,  floundering 
and  awkward  manner,  their  flight,  however,  is  rapid,  and  when  migrating  they 
generally  fly  at  a  considerable  elevation.  The  shrill  and  mournful  notes  of  these 
birds  can  be  heaid  at  a  great  distance  ;  it  is  asserted  by  some  that  Loons,  like  the 
Cuckoos,  are  more  frequently  heard  before  a  storm  than  at  other  times.  The  flesh 
of  these  birds  is  tough,  dark-colored  and  "fishy."  The  white  plumage  of  the  under 
parts  and  the  spotted  feathers  of  the  back  are  sometimes  used  by  milliners  and 
furriers. 

The  nest  is  described  as  a  rudely-built  structure  of  reeds,  grasses,  etc.,  on  the 
ground  near  the  water ;  the  dark-colored  and  spotted  eggs  are  said  to  be  usually  two 
in  number.  Bill  long,  hard,  straight,  tapering  and  sharp-pointed,  being  quite  spear- 
like  in  appearance,  and  well  adapted  to  catching  their  prey,  consisting  principally 
of  fishes.  Lores  completely  feathered.  Head  without  crests  or  ruffs.  Tall  well 
developed,  but  very  short  and  rounded.  Legs  situated  far  behind.  Tibia  mostly 
concealed  in  belly.  Feet  with  four  toes,  the  three  in  front  long  and  wholly  webbed. 

GENUS  URJNATOR  OUVIER. 
Urinator  imber 

Loon  ;  Great  Northern  Diver. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate 51). 

Adult.— Bill  and  legs  (dried  specimen)  bluish-black  ;  iris,  red;  head  and  neck 
dark  bluish-green  ;  sides  of  head  quite  purplish  ;  lower  part  of  neck  glossy-green  ; 
throat  with  transverse  streak  of  six  or  eight  distinct  patches  of  white  feathers  ;  tri- 
angular patches  of  white  streaks  on  sides  of  neck,  almost  uniting  behind  and  nar- 
rowing as  they  extend  to  front  of  neck,  where  they  are  about  one  inch  apart ;  upper 
parts  and  sides  glossy-black,  conspicuously  spotted  with  white  ;  spots  on  lower 
part  of  back,  rump  and  sides  are  small ;  spots  on  back  arranged  in  transverse  rows, 
and  increase  in  size  from  lower  part  of  neck  backward  ;  sides  of  breast  black  with 
white  streaks,  lining  of  wings,  breast,  abdomen  and  crissum  white ;  tail  brownish- 
black,  somewhat  glossy  above  and  unspotted. 

Young. — Top  of  head,  back  and  rest  of  upper  parts  brownish-black  ;  chin,  throat 
and  lower  parts  white,  sides  of  breast  and  sides  brownish-black  ;  back  unspotted 
(specimens  are  sometimes  found  in  which  the  scapular  and  tertial  feathers  are  quite 
well  marked  with  the  square  white  spots  so  conspicuous  in  the  full  plumaged  adult) ; 
iris,  brown  ;  bill  (dried  specimen)  bluish-white,  dusky  on  ridge  and  yellowish  at 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


base  ;  tarsi  and  feet  brownish -yellow  ;  length  about  32  inches  ;  extent  about  55  ;  bill 
along  culmen  about  3  inches. 

Habitat.— Northern  part  of  Northern  Hemisphere.  In  North  America  breeds 
from  the  northern  tier  of  states  northward  ;  ranges  in  winter  south  to  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico. 

This  bird,  the  largest  of  all  the  Divers,  is  about  as  large  as  a  medium- 
sized  domestic  goose.  The  Loon,  known  to  many  as  the  Great  Northern 
,  Diver,  is  a  regular  and  tolerably  common  spring  and  fall  migrant,  fre- 
quenting, principally,  the  rivers,  larger  streams  and  lakes.  In  the 
winter,  when  streams  and  other  bodies  of  water  are  not  frozen  over,  indi- 
viduals of  this  species  are  frequently  to  be  found  with  us.  Although 
not  known  to  breed  in  Pennsylvania,  these  birds  are  sometimes  seen 
here  in  the  breeding  season.  Hon,  N.  F.  Underwood,  member  of  the 
Pennsylvania  State  Board  of  Agriculture,  residing  at  Lake  Como,  Wayne 
county,  and  hunters  living  in  Wyoming  and  Susquehanna  counties, 
have  informed  me  that  solitary  Loons  are  occasionally  to  be  found 
throughout  the  summer  months,  inhabiting  the  numerous  small  lakes 
in  the  northeastern  parts  of  this  commonwealth.  In  Lycoming  county 
Mr.  August  Koch  says  "the  Loon  is  a  common  visitor  of tener  to  be 
noticed  in  the  spring  than  in  fall,  and  occasionally  single  birds  may  be 
noticed  in  the  first  summer  months."  The  Loon,  ever  cautious  and  vigi- 
lant, will  dive  at  the  flash  of  a  gun  and  proceed  under  the  water  to  a 
very  considerable  distance  before  reappearing.  These  birds,  it  is  said, 
when  endeavoring  to  elude  their  enemies,  and  also,  at  times,  when  in 
quest  of  food,  swim  under  the  water  with  greater  rapidity  than  they 
fly  through  the  air.  Writing  of  the  Loon,  Nuttall  says,  in  referring  to 
its  voice,  "  far  out  at  sea  in  winter,  and  in  the  great  western  lakes,  par- 
ticularly Huron  and  Michigan,  in  summer,  I  have  heard,  on  a  fine,  calm 
morning,  the  sad  and  wolfish  call  of  the  solitary  Loon,  which,  like  a  dis- 
mal echo,  seems  slowly  to  evade  the  ear,  and  rising  as  it  proceeds,  dies 
away  in  the  air.  This  boding  sound  to  mariners,  supposed  to  be  indic- 
ative of  a  storm,  may  be  heard  sometimes  for  two  or  three  miles,  when 
the  bird  itself  is  invisible,  or  reduced  almost  to  a  speck  in  the  distance." 
The  stomach  contents  of  seven  Loons,  captured  during  the  winter 
months  in  Chester,  Delaware,  Clinton  and  Lehigh  counties,  Pa.,  con- 
sisted entirely  of  fish-bones  and  scales ;  two  other  specimens,  purchased 
in  the  winter  of  1881  from  a  game  dealer  in  Philadelphia,  were  found  to 
have  fed  on  small  seeds  and  portions  of  plants,  apparently  roots.  Indi- 
viduals of  this  species  are,  it  is  said,  sometimes  found  in  the  Hudson 
Bay  region  weighing  as  much  as  fifteen  or  sixteen  pounds  apiece.  The 
female  is  somewhat  smaller  than  the  male.  The  weight  of  three  females 
taken  in  Pennsylvania  in  the  early  spring  ranged  from  seven  to  seven 
and  three-quarter  pounds  each,  and  two  males,  one  taken  on  the  Lehigh 
river,  in  the  fall,  the  other  captured  in  Warren  county,  on  the  Allegheny 
river,  in  the  spring,  tipped  the  scales  each  at  nine  and  three-quarter 
pounds. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


Urinator  lumme  (GUNN.). 

Red-throated  Loon. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Bill  rather  slender,  about  two  and  one-quarter  inches  long  and  bluish-black  ;  front 
and  sides  of  head,  chin,  upper  part  of  throat  and  sides  of  neck  bluish-gray  ;  crown, 
hind  neck,  sides  and  upper  parts  generally  brownish-black,  glossed,  more  or  less, 
with  greenish,  and  spotted  or  streaked  with  white  ;  front  of  neck  with  a  longitudinal 
and  triangular  patch  of  rich  reddish-brown  ;  under  parts  white ;  legs  (dried  speci- 
men) brownish-black  ;  iris,  red  in  adult,  and  reddish-brown  in  young.  The  young 
and  adults,  in  winter,  lack  the  bright  chestnut-colored  patch  on  fore-neck,  and  plu- 
mage of  upper  parts  generally  is  brownish-gray,  conspicuously  spotted  with  white  ; 
length  about  26  inches  ;  extent  about  44  inches. 

Habitat. — Northern  part  of  Northern  Hemisphere,  migrating  southward  in  winter 
nearly  across  the  United  States. 

The  Red-throated  Loon,  a  rare  and  irregular  visitor  in  this  locality 
has  been  taken  in  the  late  fall,  winter  and  early  spring-,  in  different  parts 
of  the  state.  Specimens  have  been  captured  in  Lycoming-,  Clinton, 
Northampton  and  Philadelphia  counties,  and  I  have  been  informed  that 
on  Lake  Erie,  in  the  neighborhood  of  Erie  city,  this  bird  is  often  met 
with,  especially  late  in  the  autumn.  The  individuals  which  come  as  far 
southward  as  Pennsylvania  are  usually  young-.  Red-throated  Loons  are 
much  more  common  along-  the  sea-coast — from  Maine  to  Maryland — in 
the  winter  season,  than  in  the  interior,  and  in  the  summer  or  breeding- 
time  (June  and  July)  they  retire  much  farther  north  than  the  Great 
Northern  Diver.  The  food  of  this  bird  is  similar  to  that  of  the  previ- 
ously described  species. 

FAMILY  ALGID JE.     AUKS,  MURRES  AND  PUFFINS. 

THE  AUKS,  ETC. 

The  members  of  this  family,  numbering  about  twenty-five  species  and  subspecies 
in  North  America,  are  all  exclusively  marine.  Many  of  them  inhabit  almost  con- 
stantly the  northern  seas.  Species  are  much  more  numerous  on  the  Pacific  coast 
than  on  the  Atlantic;  but  few  birds  of  this  family  have  been  observed  in  Pennsyl 
vania  and  doubtless  those  taken  here  have  been  driven  inland  by  severe  storms. 
These  birds  are  gregarious,  certain  species,  especially  during  the  breeding  season, 
assembling  in  great  numbers.  One  egg  is  laid  on  the  bare  ground  or  in  crevices  of 
rocks  ;  high  cliffs  along  the  ocean,  it  is  stated,  are  usually  the  favorite  breeding-sites. 
Like  the  Loons,  most  of  these  birds  move  over  the  ground  in  an  awkward  manner  ; 
their  flight,  however,  is  quite  rapid  and  they  swim  and  dive  with  great  address. 
When  swimming  under  the  water  in  quest  of  prey,  particularly  fish,  on  which  they 
principally  subsist,  they  employ  their  wings  in  the  same  manner  as  when  flying  m 
the  air.  The  eggs  and  young  of  many  of  these  birds  are,  it  is  said,  quite  highly 
esteemed  as  food  by  natives  in  Arctic  countries,  where  the  tough  skins  with  their 
thick  coatings  of  feathers  are  also  considerably  used  to  make  articles  of  wearing 
apparel.  In  birds  of  this  family  the  hind  toe  is  absent,  and  the  three  front  toes  are 
united  by  a  continuous  web. 


S 


""! 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


SUBFAMILY  FRATERCULIN^.     PUFFINS. 
GENUS  FRATERCULA  BRISSON. 
Fratercula  arctica  (LiNN.). 

Puffin. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Adult,  in  winter. — Bill  quite  stout,  flattened  laterally  and  nearly  as  high  as  long; 
both  mandibles  with  curved  and  distinct  grooves  ;  bill  and  legs  (dried  skin)  brown- 
ish yellow  ;  upper  parts  and  space  on  front  of  neck  brownish-black  ;  throat  and 
sides  of  head  grayish-white,  under  parts  white.  Length  about  13^  inches ;  extent 
about  24  inches. 

Habitat. — Coasts  and  islands  of  the  north  Atlantic,  breeding  on  the  North  Ameri- 
can coast  from  the  Bay  of  Fundy  northward.  South  in  winter  to  Long  Island,  and 
casually  further. 

The  Puffin  or  "  Sea  Parrot,"  as  this  bird  is  frequently  called,  has  been 
observed  in  Pennsylvania  only  as  an  accidental  winter  visitant.  But 
one  specimen  of  this  species  has,  so  far  as  I  can  learn,  been  captured  in 
our  state.  This  bird,  now  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  Joseph  Krider,  of 
Philadelphia,  was  killed  by  a  gunner  in  the  winter,  about  1876,  along- 
the  Delaware  river,  near  Chester  city.  The  Puffins,  according  to  differ- 
ent writers,  breed  either  in  crevices  of  high  rocks  or  cliffs  on  the  sea- 
coast,  or  in  burrows  which  they  dig  in  the  ground.  These  holes,  it  is 
stated,  are  usually  excavated  to  the  depth  of  about  three  feet.  "  Their 
food  consists  of  various  kinds  of  small  fish,  particularly  sprats,  the 
smaller  kinds  of  crabs,  shrimps  and  sea-weeds,  and  it  is  not  improbable 
but  that  their  sudden  migrations  are  regulated  by  the  presence  or  ab- 
sence of  certain  kinds  of  fish  on  which  they  delight  to  feed." — Nuttall. 


SUBFAMILY  PHALERIN^I.     GUILLEMOTS,  ETC. 

GENUS  CEPPHUS    PALLAS. 
Cepphus  grylle  (LiNN.). 

Black  Guillemot. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Adult,  in  winter. —Bill  black,  sharp-pointed,  quite  straight  and  shorter  than  the 
head ;  head,  neck,  under  parts,  rump,  and  space  on  wing  white ;  back,  wings  and 
tail  dark  brown  or  black,  mixed  with  white  ;  tarsi  reddish.  Length  about  13  inches ; 
extent  about  23  inches. 

Habitat.—  Coast  of  northern  Europe,  south  to  Denmark  and  the  British  Islands. 
Coast  of  Maine,  south  in  winter  to  New  Jersey. 

The  Black  Guillemot,  an  inhabitant  of  the  dreary  coasts  and  islands 
of  the  north  Atlantic,  is  a  rare  and  irregular  straggler  in  winter  on  the 
Atlantic  coast,  southward  to  New  Jersey.  In  Pennsylvania  this  species 
has  been  observed  as  an  accidental  wanderer  in  winter.  A  specimen  in 
the  museum  at  Lancaster  city,  Pa.,  was  taken,  it  is  said,  on  the  Susque- 


10  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


hanna  river  in  Lancaster  county.  Messrs.  C.  D.  Wood  and  John  Krider 
had  in  their  possession  two  or  three  of  these  birds,  which,  they  stated, 
had  been  captured  in  the  neighborhood  of  Philadelphia.  Prof.  H.  Jus- 
tin Koddy,  of  Millersville  State  Normal  School,  records  the  capture  of  a 
Black  Guillemot  in  the  late  fall  or  winter  in  Perry  county,  Pa. 

SUBFAMILY  ALLINJE.  DOVEKIES. 

GENUS  ALLE  LINN. 
Alle  alle  (LiNN.). 

Dovekie  ;  Sea  Dove. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Adult,  in  winter :— Bill  very  short  and  thick,  upper  mandible  curved;  upper 
parts  brownish-black,  scapulars  edged  and  streaked  with  white,  and  secondaries 
tipped  with  same  ;  chin,  throat,  sides  of  neck  and  under  plumage  generally  white  ; 
bill,  black ;  iris,  dark-brown  ;  tarsi  (in  dried  skin)  brownish.  Length  about  8£ 
inches  ;  extent  about  15|  inches. 

Habitat. — Coasts  and  islands  of  the  north  Atlantic  and  eastern  Arctic  Oceans  ;  in 
North  America  south  in  winter  to  New  Jersey ;  breeds  in  high  northern  latitudes. 

The  Sea  Dove  or  Little  Auk,  as  this  bird  is  sometimes  called,  very 
rarely  migrates  in  winter  as  far  southward  as  the  coast  of  New  Jersey. 
During  the  past  ten  years  I  have  seen  two  specimens  that  have  been 
captured  in  winter  on  the  Delaware  river  near  Philadelphia.  Both  of 
these  birds  were  taken  shortly  after  violent  storms.  In  the  fall  of  1886 
Prof.  H.  Justin  Roddy,  of  Millersville,  Pa.,  obtained  one  of  these  birds 
in  Perry  county,  Pennsylvania. 

NOTE. — Cepphus  mandtii  (Mandt's  Guillemot)  and  Uria  lomvia  (Briin- 
nich's  Murre),  both  of  which  were  mentioned  in  the  first  edition  of  Birds 
of  Pennsylvania,  have  been  omitted  in  this  report,  as  I  am  not  certain 
that  either  have  been  taken  in  our  state. 


ORDER  LONGIPENNES.  LONG-WINGED  SWIMMERS. 

FAMILY  STERCORARIID-ffi.     SKUAS  AND  JAEGERS. 

THE  JAEGERS. 

The  Jaegers  or  Skua  Gulls  inhabit  principally  the  sea-coasts  ;  they  also  irequent 
the  large  inland  waters,  especially  the  great  lakes.  Two  genera  and  four  species  are 
recorded  as  belonging  to  the  fauna  of  the  United  States.  In  Pennsylvania  the  Jae- 
gers have  been  noted  by  various  naturalists  only  as  very  rare  andirregular  visitants. 
These  hardy,  bold  and  predacious  birds  retire  mostly  to  the  dreary  arctic  solitudes 
to  rear  their  young.  During  the  winter  season,  or  at  other  times  when  migrating, 
they  are  generally  found  singly  or  in  pairs,  but  when  breeding,  a  well-known  writer 
says  they  congregate  in  large  numbers  and  nest  in  tufts  of  grass,  on  rocks  or  even 
on  the  bare  ground  ;  the  eggs,  two  or  three  in  number,  are  described  as  being  nearly 
three  inches  long  and  a  little  less  than  two  inches  in  width,  and  are  dark-colored, 


BIRDS  Of1  PENNSYLVANIA.  11 


spotted  or  blotched  with  different  shades  of  brown  and  grayish.  Dr.  Elliott  Coues 
says:  "The  Skua  Gulls  are  eminently  rapacious,  whence  their  name  of  'Jager' 
(hunter)  ;  they  habitually  attack  and  harass  terns  and  the  smaller  gulls,  until  these 
weaker  and  less  spirited  birds  are  forced  to  drop  or  disgorge  their  prey.  Their  flight 
is  vigorous  ;  lashing  the  air  with  the  long  tail,  they  are  able  to  accomplish  the  rapid 
and  varied  evolutions  required  for  the  successful  practice  of  piracy.  Thus  in  their 
leading  traits  they  are  marine  Raptores,  whilst  the  cered  bill  furnishes  a  curious 
analogy  to  the  true  birds  of  prey." 

Thomas  Nuttall,  writing  of  the  Jaegers,  says :  "  They  also  often  provide  for  them- 
selves, feeding  on  floating  objects,  as  they  never  dive,  and  sometimes  live  on  the 
flesh  of  cetaceous  animals,  shell-fish,  molusca,  eggs  and  young  birds."  The  head 
and  eyes  are  large  ;  neck  rather  short  and  stout ;  bill  strong,  hard  and  hooked  at  tip ; 
"covering  of  the  upper  bill  not  entire,  as  in  the  Laridce,  the  posterior  half  being 
furnished  with  a  horny  cere,  the  lower  edge  of  which  overhangs  the  nostrils ;  toes 
fully  webbed  ;  hind  toe  very  small ;  claws  large  and  strong,  curved  and  very  acute ; 
tail  slightly  rounded,  but  the  central  pair  of  feathers  projecting  a  greater  or  less  dis- 
tance beyond  the  rest." 

The  Jaegers  like  the  Gulls  and  Terns  (Laridse)  swim  most  buoyantly,  but  are 
incapable  of  diving.  Representatives  of  this  family,  both  adult  and  young,  vary 
greatly  in  their  plumage. 


GENUS  STERCORARIUS  BRISSON. 
Stercorarius  pomarinus  (TEMM.). 

Pomarine  Jaeger. 

DESCRIPTION. 

"Adult. — Front,  crown  of  the  head,  back,  wings  and  tail,  blackish-brown;  sides 
and  back  part  of  the  neck  bright-yellow;  throat  and  entire  under  plumage  white, 
with  a  brand  of  brown  spots  extending  across  the  upper"  part  of  the  breast;  sides 
and  lower' tail  coverts  barred  with  brown  ;  shafts  of  quills  and  tail  feathers  white; 
bill  greenish-olive,  black  at  the  tip  ;  legs  and  feet  black  ;  the  middle  tail  feathers 
extend  beyond  the  others  for  about  2  inches  ;  they  are  rounded  at  the  end,  and  of  a 
uniform  breadth  throughout. 

"  Young  birds  have  the  plumage  of  the  upper  parts  blackish-brown  ;  of  the  lower, 
grayish-brown,  with  the  feathers  of  the  abdomen  and  lower  tail  coverts  margined 
with  dull-ferruginous  ;  tarsi  and  base  of  the  toes  and  webs  yellow. " — Baird's  B.  of 
N.  A.  Length  about  20  inches  ;  extent  about  48  inches. 

Habitat. — Seas  and  inland  waters  of  northern  portions  of  the  Northern  Hemi- 
phere,  south  in  winter  to  Africa  and  Australia  and  probably  South  America.  Not 
known  to  occur  in  winter  on  the  Atlantic  coast  of  North  America  north  of  Long 
Island. 

The  Pomarine  Jaeger,  known  to  the  fisherman  on  the  coasts  of  Maine 
as  "  Gull  Hunter,"  resides  during  the  summer  or  breeding  season  in 
high  boreal  regions,  but  when  the  young  are  able  to  provide  for  them- 
selves both  the  old  and  young  migrate  southward,  and  frequent  mainly 
the  shores  of  the  ocean.  In  this  state  the  Jaeger  occurs  only  as  an  acci- 
dental visitor.  The  late  Prof.  S.  R  Baird,  in  the  summer  of  1840,  secured 
a  specimen  at  Harrisburg,  on  the  Susquehanna  river ;  another  example 
of  the  same  species  is  recorded  as  having  been  obtained  by  the  late  Vin- 
cent Barnard,  of  Chester  county,  in  Lancaster  county,  Pa.,  on  the  Susque- 
hanna In  the  winter  of  1885  or  1886,  Mr.  C.  D.  Wood,  a  Philadelphia 


12  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


taxidermist,  mounted  one  of  these  birds,  which  had  been  shot  by  a  hunter 
in  Sullivan  county,  Pa.,  near  Eagle's  Mere,  a  popular  summer  resort  on 
the  Philadelphia  and  Reading  railroad. 


Stercorarius  parasiticus  (LiNN.). 

Parasitic  Jaeger. 

DESCRIPTION. 

"Adult,—  Upper  part  of  the  head  blackish-brown;  nape  and  sides  of  the  neck 
yellowish-white;  remainder  of  upper  plumage  blackish-brown;  wings  and  tail 
darker ;  shafts  of  the  primaries  white  ;  under  plumage  white  ;  bill  bluish  at  the  base, 
black  at  the  point ;  tarsi  and  feet  black  ;  the  central  tail  feathers  extend  beyond  the 
others  about  three  inches ;  they  taper  slightly,  varying  but  little  in  breadth  until 
near  the  end,  where  they  are  abruptly  acuminated,  differing  in  this  particular  from 
all  the  other  species. 

Young. — Head  and  neck  streaked  with  dark  brown  and  brownish-yellow  ;  lower 
parts  spotted  or  barred  with  the  same;  upper  parts  brownish  or  dusky  and  brownish- 
yellow.  Length  about  18  inches  ;  extent  about  40  inches." — Bawd's  Birds  of  N.  A. 

Habitat. — Northern  part  of  northern  Hemisphere,  southward  in  winter  to  South 
Africa  and  South  America.  Breeds  in  high  northern  districts,  and  winters  from  the 
Middle  states  and  California  southward  to  Brazil  and  Chili. 

The  Parasitic  Jaeger,  like  the  preceding  species,  occurs  in  Pennsylva- 
nia only  as  a  rare  and  irregular  straggler.  Dr.  Turnbull  (Birds  of 
Eastern  Pennsylvania)  records  the  capture  of  one  near  Philadelphia  by 
the  late  John  Krider.  In  October,  1874,  Mr.  Merrick  Low  shot,  at  the 
head  of  Erie  bay,  a  fine  specimen  of  this  bird,  which  is  now  in  the  col- 
lection of  my  friend,  Mr.  George  B.  Sennett,  of  Erie  city.  Dr.  Walter 
Van  Fleet  mentions  both  the  Pomarine  and  Parasitic  Jaegers  as  strag- 
glers in  Clinton  county,  Pa. 

Never  having  had  an  opportunity  of  studying  this  species  in  life,  I 
quote  the  following  interesting  extracts  from  Mr.  E=  W.  Nelson's  report 
(Natural  History  Collections  in  Alaska} :  "  During  summer  these  Jaegers 
show  a  much  greater  preference  for  marshes  and  the  low,  barren 
grounds  so  common  in  the  north,  than  they  do  for  the  vicinity  of  the  sea- 
coast.  At  the  Yukon  mouth,  and  near  St.  Michaels,  they  arrive  with  the 
first  open  water,  from  the  10th  to  the  15th  of  May.  The  snow  still  lies 
in  heavy  drifts  on  most  of  the  open  country,  but  the  Jaegers  take  pos- 
session and  feed  upon  the  shrew-mice  and  lemmings  which  are  common 
on  this  ground.  By  the  last  of  May  they  are  very  common,  and  twenty 
or  thirty  may  be  seen  in  a  day's  hunt. 

"  Birds  in  the  black  plumage  are  rare  in  the  spring,  but  are  sometimes 
seen,  and  at  the  Yukon  mouth,  on  May  31, 1  found  a  pair  in  this  plum- 
age mated.  The  eggs  are  laid  on  mossy  knolls  or  uplands,  in  their 
haunts,  about  the  5th  of  June.  The  nest  is  merely  a  depression  in  the 
moss,  containing  two  eggs.  The  young  are  on  the  wing  by  the  end  of 
July  and  early  August.  The  last  birds  move  southward  or  keep  out  to 
sea  after  the  20th  of  September.  On  cloudy  days,  or  in  dusky  twilight, 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  13 


these  birds  have  a  habit  of  uttering  loud,  wailing-  cries,  interspersed  with 
harsh  shrieks,  which  are  among  the  most  peculiar  notes  heard  in  the 
northern  breeding  grounds.  At  all  times  the  Jaegers  are  given  to  wan- 
dering, and  one  is  likely  to  find  them  almost  anywhere  along  the  coast. 
They  are  not  infrequently  seen  harrying  terns  or  gulls  to  make  them  dis- 
gorge fish  just  caught.  If  successful  they  dart  down  and,  rising  under  the 
falling  morsel,  catch  it  in  their  capacious  mouth.  This  robbery  is  often 
performed  by  two  birds  in  unison,  but  whether  the  birds  alternate  in 
disposing  of  the  spoil  or  not  could  not  be  learned.  *  *  *  *  They 
are  very  greedy,  and  frequently  swallow  so  much  that  they  are  unable 
to  fly  until  a  portion  is  disgorged." 

FAMILY  LARUXflS.     GULLS  AND  TERNS. 

SUBFAMILY  LARIN^l.     GULLS. 

THE  GULLS. 

Only  two  or  three  species  of  this  group,  represented  by  over  twenty-five  species 
and  subspecies  in  North  America,  have  been  observed  by  naturalists  to  occur  in 
Pennsylvania  with  any  degree  of  regularity.  None  breed  in  this  commonwealth 
where  they  are  found  only  as  transitory  sojourners  during  the  spring,  fall  and  win- 
ter months.  Gulls  vary  greatly  in  size  ;  some  are  classed  among  the  largest  of  the 
marine  birds,  while  others  are  but  little  larger  than  their  near  relatives — the  terns. 
In  these  birds  the  body  is  more  robust  than  in  the  terns,  the  bill  is  hooked,  the  tail 
is  generally  even  and  the  toes  are  fully  webbed. 

They  are  light,  easy  and  graceful  swimmers,  but  are  unable  to  dive,  though  some 
of  them  secure  their  food  by  plunging  for  it  in  the  same  manner  as  terns.  The 
sexes  are  similar  in  color,  and  the  female  is  usually  a  trifle  smaller  than  the  male. 
Gulls  differs,  greatly  in  their  plumage,  but  the  adults  are  usually  white  with  a  dark, 
or  bluish-gray  mantle  ;  in  some  species  the  head — especially  in  the  breeding  season 
—is  enveloped  in  a  dark  hood.  The  young  are  wholly  different  from  the  old  birds, 
being  much  darker  and  usually  more  or  less  spotted  or  mottled  with  gray  and  dif- 
ferent shades  of  brown.  Gulls  generally  associate  in  large  flocks,  not  only  when 
breeding  but  also  during  the  spring  and  fall  migrations,  and  in  winter.  They  in- 
habit chiefly  the  sea-coasts  and  large  inland  waters  ;  some  kinds,  however,  and  es- 
pecially the  smaller  species  when  migrating,  and  also  frequently  in  winter,  ascend 
to  a  considerable  distance  many  of  the  principal  rivers  emptying  in  the  bays  and 
ocean. 

Gulls  are  gluttonous  and  voracious,  feeding  on  almost  any  kind  of  animal  sub- 
stances, fish,  however,  is  their  main  article  of  diet.  These  birds,  with  a  few  excep- 
tions, breed  beyond  the  northern  limits  cff  the  United  States,  and  most  of  them  re- 
tire during  the  season  of  reproduction  to  the  arctic  regions.  The  nest  is  usually 
built  on  the  ground  or  near  it,  some  species  construct  rude  nests  of  twigs,  grasses, 
moss,  etc.,  while  others,  it  is  said,  deposit  their  eggs  either  on  the  bare  ground  or  on 
rocky  ledges.  The  eggs,  two  to  four  in  number,  are  variously  spotted  with  different 
shades  of  black,  brown  and  gray. 

The  loud,  shrill  arid  unmusical  notes  of  these  birds  are  most  frequently  heard 
when  they  are  on  the  wing  ;  they  are,  also,  especially  noisy  when  feeding,  or  when 
their  nesting  places  are  approached.  The  flesh  of  the  old  bird,  particularly  that  of 
the  larger  species,  is  quite  tough  and  unpalatable.  The  flesh  of  the  young  birds, 
especially  the  smaller  kinds,  is  sometimes  eaten  by  fishermen  and  hunters.  Al- 
though the  gulls  are  seldom  used  for  food,  unless  it  is  by  the  Eskimo  and  other 
residents  of  the  northern  regions,  who,  it  is  stated,  esteem  the  flesh  of  several  species 
as  great  delicacies — it  is  a  noteworthy  fact  that  the  silvery  and  downy  feathers  of 
these  birds  are  largely  used  by  our  milliners. 


14  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


GENUS  LARUS  LINNAEUS. 
\ 
Larus  argentatus  smithsonianus    OOUES. 

American  Herring  Gull ;  Big  Gull ;  Winter  Gull. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Adult.—  Head,  neck,  rump,  tail  and  under  parts  white ;  mantle  dull  pale-blue  ; 
primaries  tipped  with  white,  and  barred  with  black  ;  bill  yellow,  with  reddish  spot ; 
tarsi,  flesh  color  ;  iris,  yellowish-white. 

Young. — Mottled  with  grayish-brown,  white  and  light  pearl-blue,  the  latter  in 
patches  on  upper  parts ;  primaries  dusky ;  bill  brownish-yellow,  dark  towards  end  ; 
iris,  brown  ;  length  about  25  inches ;  extent  about  59  inches. 

Habitat. — North  of  America  generally,  breeding  on  the  Atlantic  coast  from  Maine 
northward ;  in  winter  south  to  Cuba  and  lower  California. 

This  species  is  a  rather  common  spring  and  fall  migrant  on  Lake 
Erie,  where,  during  the  winter  months,  if  the  weather  is  not  exceedingly 
cold,  these  birds  are  also  sometimes  seen  singly  or  in  small  companies 
of  five  or  eight.  Throughout  the  state  in  general  this  species  occurs  as 
quite  a  rare  and  irregular  visitor.  On  the  Delaware  river,  near  Phila- 
delphia, and  on  the  Susquehanna,  below  Lancaster,  Herring  Gulls  are 
perhaps  more  frequently  observed  than  elsewhere  in  Pennsylvania,  ex- 
cept in  the  vicinity  of  Erie  city. 

The  Herring  Gull  is  not  especially  an  arctic  breeder.  It  nests,  ac 
cording  to  different  writers,  along  the  coast  and  about  lakes  of  the  inte- 
rior in  the  New  England  states,  and  also  from  Lake  Superior  northward 
to  the  Arctic  shores.  This  species  breeds  generally  on  the  ground, 
though  sometimes  high  and  inaccessible  cliffs  are  selected  as  breeding 
places,  and  occasionally  in  some  localities,  particularly  in  regions  where 
the  natives  collect  both  the  eggs  and  young  for  food,  they  frequently, 
to  escape  such  depredations,  build  their  nests  in  the  tops  of  high  trees. 
Mr.  George  Spencer  Morris,  of  Philadelphia,  informs  me  he  has  observed 
both  Herring  and  King-billed  Gulls,  as  winter  visitants,  on  the  Dela- 
ware river,  near  the  city. 

Larus  delawarensis  ORD. 

Ring-billed  Gull. 

DESCRIPTION. 

11  Adult.—  Head,  neck,  under  parts  and  tail  pure  white  ;  back  and  wings  very  light 
pearl  blue  ;  first  and  second  primaries  black  for  two-thirds  of  their  length  towards 
the  end,  the  three  next  quills  have  the  black  much  less  in  extent,  and  on  the  sixth 
it  is  reduced  to  a  sub-terminal  bar  ;  the  first  quill  is  black  at  the  end,  above  which  is 
a  broad  white  band ;  the  second  quill  is  black  to  the  tip,  with  a  white  spot  on  the 
inner  web  an  inch  and  a  half  from  the  end  ;  the  other  primaries  tipped  with  white  ; 
secondaries  and  tertiaries  ending  in  white ;  iris  yellow ;  bill  crossed  near  the  end 
7/ith  a  blackish-brown  band,  between  which  and  the  base  it  is  greenish-yellow ;  the 
tip  is  yellow ;  tarsi  and  feet  greenish-yellow.  Length  about  20  inches  ;  extent  about 
48  inches. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  15 


"  Young. — The  upper  plumage  mottled  with  blackish-brown  and  gray  ;  beneath 
grayish-white,  with  light-brown  spots ;  primaries  black  ;  tail  white,  with  a  sub- 
terminal  black  band  ;  bill  black  with  yellow  base."— Baird's  Birds  of  N.  A. 

Habitat.— North  America  at  large  ;  south  in  winter  to  Cuba  and  Mexico. 

This  species  occurs  in  Pennsylvania  during-  the  spring-  and  fall  migra- 
tions, but  is  not  common.  Specimens  have  been  taken  on  the  Dela- 
ware, Susquehanna,  Allegheny  and  Ohio  rivers  in  this  state,  and  also  at 
Lake  Erie,  near  the  city  of  Erie.  Unlike  most  of  its  relatives,  this  Gull 
breeds  in  many  sections  of  the  United  States,  as  well  as  far  northward. 
This  is  one  of  the  common  Gulls  to  be  seen,  in  winter,  on  the  Atlantic 
coast  from  New  Jersey  southward. 


Larus  atricilla  LINN. 

Laughing  Gull. 


DESCRIPTION. 


Adult,  in  breeding  plumage. — Head  and  upper  part  of  neck  dark  slate  color,  dark- 
est about  occiput  and  on  neck,  and  lightest  about  base  of  bill ;  the  dark  color  ex- 
tends about  one  inch  or  more  farther  down  front  of  neck  than  on  the  back  of  same  ; 
white  spot  on  both  upper  and  lower  eyelids  ;  neck  all  round,  breast,  abdomen,  sides, 
lining  of  wings,  upper  and  lower  tail  coverts,  rump  and  tail  pure  white  ;  the  breast 
and  abdomen  in  recently-killed  specimens  have  a  beautiful  rosy  tinge  ;  mantle  dark 
lead  color  ;  first  five  primaries  black,  which  decreases  from  first  to  fifth.  In  speci- 
men before  me  all  the  primaries  but  first  and  second  are  tipped  with  white  ;  the  sec- 
ondaries and  tertiaries  have  broad  white  tips  ;  bill  (dried  specimen)  dark  carmine 
and  somewhat  yellow  at  base  ;  tarsi  yellowish-red  ;  iris  bluish-black.  , 

Adult,  in  winter. — Head  and  neck  white,  with  sides  and  occiput  spotted  with 
brownish-gray. 

Young.— Head,  neck  all  round  and  upper  parts  brownish-gray,  darkest  at  base  of 
head ;  mandible  similar  color  but  darker  ;  throat  and  under  parts  grayish  or  dull 
white.  Length  about  16|  inches  ;  extent  about  40  inches. 

Ha  bit  a  t.— Eastern,  tropical  and  warm-temperate  America,  chiefly  along  the  sea- 
coast  from  Maine  to  Brazil ;  Pacific  coast  of  middle  America. 

The  Laughing  Gull  is  so  named  because  its  notes  resemble  a  loud 
burst  of  laughter.  In  this  state  the  bird  is  found  only  as  a  migrant. 
In  the  spring  individuals  of  this  species  frequently  ascend  the  Susque- 
hanna river  as  far  as  Harrisburg- ;  they  also  sometimes  come  up  the 
Delaware  river  to  Philadelphia,  and  occasionally  are  observed  on  other 
of  our  larger  streams  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  state.  In  the  autumn 
the  Laughing  Gull  is  rarely,  I  think,  to  be  found  in  Pennsylvania.  The 
Black-headed  Gull,  as  this  species  is  sometimes  called,  is  not  found  on 
the  Pacific  coast  of  the  United  States,  but  is  quite  common  on  the  At- 
lantic side,  especially  from  New  Jersey  southward.  The  nest — built  on 
the  ground — is  composed  of  sea-weed,  grass  or  other  veg-etable  mate- 
rials. The  eggs,  two  or  three  in  number,  measure  about  2.20  inches  in 
length  by  about  1.58  inches  in  width  ;  they  vary  considerably,  but  usu- 
ally the  ground  color  is  grayish  or  brownish-olive,  spotted  and  blotched 
with  different  shades  of  dull  reddish-brown  and  black  or  purplish ;  the 
markings  are  often  more  abundant  about  the  larger  end.  The  eggs  of 


16  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


this  species  are  used  in  many  sections  along  the  Atlantic  coast,  especi- 
ally in  some  of  the  southern  states,  for  table  purposes. 
Larus  Philadelphia  (ORD.). 

Bonaparte's  Gull;  "  Little  Gull." 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  52). 

Adult.— Bill,  black  ;  tarsi  (dried  skin),  reddish-yellow  ;  head  and  upper  part  of 
neck  dark  lead  color ;  lower  part  of  neck,  under  parts,  rump  and  tail  pure  white  ; 
mantle,  pale  pearl-blue ;  three  first  primaries  mainly  white ;  first  primary  with 
black  outer  web  ;  first  six  primaries  have  black  ends,  a  half  inch  or  over  long  and 
each  one  is  slightly  tipped  with  white  ;  other  primaries  like  back.  In  winter  the 
adult  has  white  head  with  dark  spots  over  ears,  in  other  respects  quite  like  adult  in 
spring. 

Young.— Bill,  black,  yellowish  at  base ;  tarsi,  reddish-yellow  (dried  skin)  ; 
iris,  hazel ;  greater  part  of  head,  the  throat,  neck  and  under  parts  white  ;  tail, 
white,  except  a  black  bar  nearly  an  inch  wide  at  end ;  primaries  with  much  more 
black  than  in  adult ;  dark  colored  auricular  spots ;  crown  and  upper  parts,  espe- 
pecially  the  wings,  mottled  with  light  lead  color  and  brownish-gray  ;  length  about 
14  inches' ;  extent  about  32  inches. 

Habitat— Whole  of  North  America,  breeding  mostly  north  of  the  United  States  ; 
south  in  winter  to  Mexico  and  Central  America.  \ 

This  species  known  to  fishermen  on  Lake  Erie  and  about  the  Dela- 
ware and  Susquehanna  rivers  as  "  Little  Gull,"  is  by  far  the  most  abun- 
dant of  all  the  Gulls  in  Pennsylvania,  where  it  occurs  as  a  regular  mi- 
grant in  the  spring-  and  fall.  During-  migrations,  particularly  in  the 
autumn,  these  birds  are  frequently  to  be  seen  in  considerable  numbers 
about  the  harbor  at  Erie  city.  Bonaparte's  Gulls  are  found  generally 
throughout  the  state,  about  the  numerous  lakes,  ponds  and  larger 
streams.  Occasionally  in  the  interior  good-sized  flocks  are  noted,  but 
usually  they  are  seen  singly,  in  pairs,  or  sometimes  in  small  parties  of 
four  or  five  individuals.  They  generally  arrive  here  early  in  April  and 
remain  mostly  until  early  in  May,  when  they  pass  northward  to  their 
breeding  grounds,  from  which  they -return  here  usually  about  the  first 
week  in  October  and  remain  until  early  in  November.  At  Lake  Erie, 
where  the  species  is  perhaps  more  numerous  than  in  any  other  section 
of  Pennsylvania,  I  observed  a  flock  of  a  dozen  or  more  of  these  Gulls  in 
company  with  two  or  three  Herring  Gulls  late  in  the  month  of  Decem- 
ber, 1889.  This  bird,  in  addition  to  feeding  on  fish  and  other  kinds  of 
aquatic  animal  life,  subsists,  also,  to  a  considerable  extent,  on  different 
insects,  particularly  beetles  and  grasshoppers. 

GENUS  RISSA  STEPHENS. 
Rissa  tridactyla  (LINN.). 

Kittiwakc. 

DESCRIPTION. 

"  Adult.— Head,  neck,  entire  under  plumage,  rump  and  tail,  white ;  back  and 
wings  light  bluish-gray  ;  the  ends  of  the  five  outer  primaries,  and  the  outer  web  of 
the  first,  black;  the  fourth  and  fifth  have  small  white  tips;  bill,  greenish  -yel  low »' 
iris,  reddish-brown ;  legs  and  feet  brownish-black,  with  a  green  tinge. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  17 

"  Young.— The  head  is  white,  marked  on  the  hind  headand  neck  with  bluish-gray; 
a  spot  of  the  same  color  over  the  ears ;  a  narrow  crescent  of  black  in  front  of  the  eye ; 
wings  and  shoulders  marked  with  black;  primaries,  black  ;  tail,  white,  with  a  sub- 
terminal  black  band;  bill,  black;  rest  of  the  plumage  same  as  in  adult"—  Baird's 
Birds  of  N.  A.  Length  about  17|  inches  ;  extent  about  35  inches. 

Habitat.— Arctic  regions,  south  in  eastern  North  America  in  winter  to  the  great 
lakes  and  the  Middle  States. 

Accidental  winter  visitant.  About  ten  years  ago  the  late  Henry  B. 
Graves,  of  Berks  county,  mounted  a  young  Kittiwake,  which  had  been 
captured  near  Lancaster  city  in  midwinter.  Mr.  Joseph  Krider,  of 
Philadelphia,  has  in  his  collection  one  of  these  birds  which  was  shot 
several  years  ago  near  Philadelphia  by  the  late  John  Krider.  Dr.  A.  C. 
Treichler,  of  Elizabethtown,  mentions  this  species  as  a  straggler  in 
Lancaster  county,  Pa.  The  Kittiwake  is  a  common  bird  in  the  arctic 
regions,  and  in  winter  this  species  wanders  irregularly  southward  along 
the  Atlantic  coast  as  far  as  New  Jersey,  where  it  is  quite  rare. 


SUBFAMILY  STERNIN^B.    TERNS. 
THE  TERNS. 

While  these  birds  are  most  abundant  on  the  seacoast,  neighboring  bays  and  inlets, 
they  are  not  exclusively  maritime  ;  many  frequent,  during  migrations,  inland 
waters  (large  lakes  commonly)  where  some  also  remain  during  the  summer  to  rear 
their  young.  None  of  the  Terns  are  known  to  breed  in  Pennsylvania.  Although 
quite  a  number  of  these  birds — known  commonly  about  the  seashore  as  "Sea 
Swallows" — have  been  taken  by  various  naturalists  and  collectors,  in  this  state, 
during  migrations,  none,  according  to  my  observations,  can  be  said  to  occur  through- 
out this  comm'onwealth  as  regular  or  common  spring  and  fall  migrants.  Several 
species  are  common  on  the  coast  of  New  Jersey  during  migrations,  and  some  are 
also  found  there  as  summer  residents.  Almost  every  year,  in  the  spring,  late  sum- 
mer and  in  the  autumn,  after  severe  stormy  weather,  Terns  of  different  kind  are 
frequently  noticed  about  the  rivers,  lakes  and  ponds  in  the  interior,  principally, 
however,  in  the  eastern  sections  of  the  state.  These  birds,  it  would  appear,  have 
been,  by  force  of  the  elements  rather  than  their  own  inclinations,  compelled  to  leave, 
temporarily,  their  chosen  haunts  in  the  vicinity  of  the  ocean. 

At  Lake  Erie,  some  species  of  this  subfamily  are  found  as  common  migrants  ;  in 
the  harbor  at  Erie  city  two  or  three  species  are  more  or  less  common  every  spring 
and  fall.  This  is  the  only  section  in  Pennsylvania,  so  far  as  I  have  been  able  to 
learn,  where  Terns  are  seen  with  any  degree  of  certainty  during  migrations.  Terns, 
with  a  few  exceptions,  are  much  smaller  than  Gulls,  from  which  they  differ  also  in 
having  straight,  slender,  sharp-pointed  bills,  and,  mostly,  conspicuously  forked 
tails.  The  sexes  are  quite  similar  in  size  and  color,  but  the  young  and  old  birds  in 
fall  and  winter  show  great  variations  in  coloration  ;  wings  long,  narrow  and  pointed  ; 
the  flight  is  buoyant  and  graceful.  They  seem  to  be  almost  continually  on  the  wing, 
and  sometimes  are  seen  out  at  sea  many  miles  from  land.  Terns  are  unable  to  dive  ; 
their  feet  are  webbed,  but  they  are  scarcely  ever  seen  on  the  water ;  it  is  said  they 
never  swim  from  choice.  These  birds  walk  but  little,  though  they  often  alight  on 
the  beach,  sand-bars  and  rocks.  Terns,  especially  the  larger  kinds,  subsist  princi- 
pally on  little  fish  ;  some  of  the  smaller  species,  in  addition  to  small  fish,  feed  to 
some  extent  on  insects.  When  in  quest  of  prey  they  frequently  make  extensive  circuits 
over  the  ocean,  bays,  brackish  ponds  and  marshy  places  ;  in  flying  over  the  water, 
searching  for  food,  they  invariably  are  seen  with  the  bill  pointing  straight  down- 
ward ;  this,  as  Dr.  Coues  writes,  "  makes  them  look  like  colossal  mosquitoes."  They 

2  BIRDS. 


18  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA, 

often  hover  over  the  water,  when  feeding,  in  the  same  manner  as  the  Sparrow  Hawk 
does  when  hunting  in  a  grass-field,  and  dart  head  foremost  into  it,  oftentimes  with 
such  force  as  to  submerge  the  whole  body ;  unlike  the  hawk,  however,  which 
seizes  his  prey  in  his  talons,  the  Tern  captures  its  prey  in  its  bill.  Their  notes  are 
sharp,  shrill  and  often  repeated  ;  they  are  particularly  noisy  when  wounded  or  if  their 
breeding-places  are  approached.  The  eggs,  two  or  three  in  number,  are  generally 
deposited  in  a  slight  depression  in  the  sand  or  shingle  along  the  sea-beach  ;  some 
few  nest  on  drift-stuff,  sea-weeds,  grasses,  etc.,  in  marshes,  and  others,  it  is  stated, 
construct  rude  and  rather  bulky  nests  of  sticks  on  trees  or  in  low,  thick  bushes. 
Terns  are  of  a  gregarious  nature  ;  they  frequently  nest  in  great  numbers  in  suitable 
localities,  and  when  migrating  they  often  assemble  in  large  flocks.  Great  numbers 
of  these  birds,  and  many  of  the  smaller  kinds  of  Gulls,  are  annually  slaughtered 
along  the  Atlantic  coast  by  heartless  and  greedy  "feather  hunters"  to  supply  the 
millinery  establishments  of  our  large  cities. 


GENUS  GELOCHELIDON  BREHM. 
Gelochelidon  nilotica  (HASSELQ.). 

Gull-billed  Tern  ;  Marsh  Tern. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Adult. — Bill  short,  stout  and  resembles  somewhat  that  ot  a  gull  ;  top  of  head 
black,  which  runs  downward  on  sides  to  lower  eyelid  ;  a  very  narrow  line  of  white 
at  base  of  upper  mandible  ;  back  and  wings  pearly  bluish-gray  ;  tail  feathers  very 
similar  to  back,  but  lighter  ;  lower  part  of  back  of  neck  and  entire  under  plumage 
pure  white  ;  bill  and  tarsi  black  ;  iris  dark  brown.  Length  about  14  inches  ;  extent 
about  3*  inches. 

The  young  have  brownish-colored  bills  and  legs,  top  of  head  largely  white  ;  upper 
parts  more  or  less  spotted  with  brown. 

H'lbita  .— Nearly  cosmopolitan  ;  in  North  America  cbiefly  along  the  Atlantic  and 
Gulf  coasts  of  the  United  States. 

This  species  is  a  very  rare  and  irregular  visitor  in  eastern  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  in  the  central  and  western  portions  of  the  state  I  find  no  one 
has  noted  its  occurrence.  Mr.  H.  B.  Graves  records  the  capture  of  one 
"in  Chester  county  in  autumn."  Mr.  C.  D.  Wood  informed  me  he  ob- 
tained two  specimens,  which  were  shot  near  Philadelphia  about  five 
years  a^o.  I  have  never  seen  this  bird  in  Pennsylvania. 

GENUS  STERNA  LINNAEUS. 
Sterna  tschegrava  LEPECH. 

Caspian  Tern. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Largest  of  all  the  Terns  ;  bill  large  and  stout,  measuring  about  three  inches  ;  tail 
very  slightly  forked. 

"  Adult.— Forehead,  crown,  sides  of  the  head  and  occiput  black,  glossed  with 
green  ;  this  color  extends  below  the  eye,  under  which  is  a  narrow  white  line  ;  back 
and  wings  light  bluish-ash  ;  outer  six  primaries  dark  slate-gray  on  their  inner  webs ; 
quill  shafts  strong  and  white ;  tail  and  its  upper  coverts  grayish-white ;  neck  and 
entire  under  plumage  pure  white  ;  bill  and  inside  of  mouth  bright  vermillion  •  legs 


•I 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  19 

and  feet  black.     Length  21^  inches;  extent  of  wings  51  inches."— Baird's  Birds  of 
North  America. 

Habitat.— Nearly  cosmopolitan  ;  in  North  America  breeding  southward  to  Vir- 
ginia, Lake  Michigan,  Texas,  Nevada,  California. 

The  Caspian  Tern  has  been  observed  in  but  few  localities  in  this  state. 
Hon.  J.  J.  Libhart,  in  his  ornithological  report,  published  in  the  history 
of  Lancaster  county,  Pa.,  records  the  capture  of  two  of  these  birds  <c  on 
the  Susquehanna  at  Marietta,  September  21,  1847."  About  three 
years  ago  Mr.  Joseph  Krider,  of  Philadelphia,  had  in  his  possession  an 
adult  Caspian  Tern,  which  a  customer  had  brought  to  him  to  be 
mounted.  This  bird  was  said  to  have  been  shot  in  Delaware  county, 
near  Chester  city.  Mr.  George  B.  Sennett  has  in  his  collection  one  or 
two  specimens  of  this  species,  taken  at  Erie  bay,  where  nearly  every 
fall,  in  September  and  October,  a  few  of  these  birds  are  seen. 


Sterna  maxima  BODD. 

Royal  Tern. 


DESCRIPTION. 


This  bird  ranks  next  in  size  to  the  Caspian  Tern.  Bill  about  as  long  but  much 
more  slender  than  bill  of  Caspian  Tern ;  tail  conspicuously  forked. 

Adult.— Front,  top  and  back  of  head  glossy-black  (some  specimens  have  front  of 
head  white)  ;  back  and  wings  pale  bluish-gray ;  rump  and  upper  tail  coverts  white  ; 
tail  nearly  white  ;  under  parts  white  ;  bill  deep  reddish-yellow  ;  tarsi  black  ;  iris 
brown.  Length  about  20  inches  ;  extent  about  43  inches. 

Habitat. — Tropical  America  and  warmer  parts  of  North  America,  northward  to 
Massachuse'tts,  the  great  lakes  and  California.  West  coast  of  Africa,  north  to  Tan- 
giers. 

The  Royal  Tern,  which  breeds  in  great  colonies  along  the  Atlantic 
coast,  from  Virginia  southward,  is  a  very  rare  and  irregular  visitor  in 
this  state.  Henry  B.  Graves  records  the  capture  of  a  specimen  in  Berks 
county,  in  September,  1879.  Dr.  John  W.  Detwiller,  of  Bethlehem,  Pa., 
has  also  observed  this  beautiful  Tern  as  a  straggler  in  our  state.  I  have 
never  seen  this  bird  in  Pennsylvania. 


Sterna  forsteri  NUTT. 

Forster's  Tern. 

DESCRIPTION. 

"  Adult.—  Upper  part  and  sides  of  the  head,  to  a  line  just  below  the  eye,  and  hind 
neck  black  ;  back  and  wings  bluish-gray ;  primaries  grayish-white  on  the  outer 
webs  and  dusky-gray  on  the  inner  next  the  shaft,  and  over  the  entire  web  at  the 
end,  darker  on  the  inner  margin  ;  the  remaining  portion  of  inner  webs  white  ;  tail 
bluish-gray,  except  the  outer  web  of  the  outer  tail  feather  which  is  white  ;  the  inner 
web  of  this  feather  blackish-gray  for  about  two  inches  from  the  end  ;  rump  white 
with  a  slight  tinge  of  pale  bluish-gray  ;  sides  of  head,  throat  and  entire  under  surface 
white  ;  in  the  dried  specimens  bill  is  orange-yellow  at  the  base,  black  near  the  end, 
with  the  tip  pale  yellow;  legs  and  feet  scarlet.  Length  about  15  inches  ;  extent 
about  30  inches."— Baird's  Birds  of  N.  A. 


20  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

Habitat.— North  America  generally,  breeding  from  Manitoba  southward  to  Vir- 
ginia, Illinois,  Texas  and  California  ;  in  winter  southward  to  Brazil. 

This  species  is  found  in  Pennsylvania  as  quite  a  rare  and  irregular 
visitor  during  the  spring  and  fall  migrations.  In  the  summer  of  1879 
I  visited  Cobb's  Island,  Virginia,  where  this  Tern  was  breeding  quite 
plentifully  in  the  marshes.  Forster's  Tern  feeds  principally  on  little 
-fish. 

Sterna  hirundo  LINN. 

Common  Tern ;  Wilson's  Tern  ;  Sea  Swallow 

DESCRIPTION. 

Adult.—  Bill  (dried  skin)  red  from  base  to  about  half  its  length,  then  black,  with 
pale-yellowish  point ;  iris  brown ;  legs  reddish-yellow ;  upper  part  of  head  and 
hind  neck  black  ;  back  and  wings  light  bluish-gray ;  sides  of  neck  and  head,  line 
along  base  of  upper  mandible,  chin,  throat,  upper  and  lower  tail  coverts  and  most 
of  tail,  also  lining  of  wings,  white  ;  the  outside  tail  feather  has  black  outer  web  ; 
sides  of  breast  and  of  lower  part  of  neck  and  rest  of  lower  parts  grayish-white.  In 
the  young  the  bill  is  blackish  and  yellow,  the  latter  color  especially  on  lower  mandi- 
ble ;  tarsi  yellowish  ;  front  of  head  and  entire  under  plumage  white  ;  crown  gray- 
ish-white and  black  plumage  about  eyes,  back  of  head  and  upper  part  of  hind  neck 
dull  black ;  back  and  wings  indistinct  bluish-gray  with  patches  of  light-brown ; 
most  of  feathers  on  back  edged  with  white.  Length  about  14|  inches  :  extent  about 
31  inches. 

Habitat.—  Greater  part  of  the  Northern  Hemisphere  and  Africa.  In  North 
America  chiefly  confined  to  the  Eastern  Province,  breeding  from  the  Arctic  coast, 
somewhat  irregularly,  to  Florida  and  Texas,  and  wintering  northward  to  Virginia. 

The  Common  Tern  or  "  Sea-Swallow,"  as  this  bird  is  commonly  called 
by  fishermen  on  the  coast  of  New  Jersey,  is  one  of  few  species  of  this 
group,  which  has  been  frequently  found  in  different  sections  of  our 
state  during  migrations.  Mr.  George  B.  Sennett  has  observed  it  as  an 
irregular  migrant  in  the  spring  and  fall  in  the  vicinity  of  Erie  city, 
where,  I  have  no  doubt,  it  is  oftener  met  with  than  in  any  other  section 
of  Pennsylvania.  Dr.  John  W.  Detwiller,  of  Bethlehem,  in  a  letter  ad- 
dressed to  me,  says  :  I  have  shot  the  Common,  Arctic  and  Least  Terns 
on  the  Lehigh  river  in  the  fall,  and  he  further  adds  they  were  "  prob- 
ably driven  inland  by  severe  storms."  Mr.  August  Koch,  notes  the 
species  as  an  irregular  migrant — spring  and  fall — in  Lycoming  county, 
and  Dr.  Walter  Van  Fleet,  of  Renovo,  has  found  it  in  Clinton  county  as 
a  straggler.  InBerks  county  Mr.  D.  Frank  Keller,  of  Reading,  reports 
that  he  has  observed  it  as  an  accidental  visitor  ;  according  to  Dr.  A.  C. 
Treichler,  of  Elizabethtown,  this  bird  is  a  straggler  of  rare  occurrence  in 
Lancaster  county.  Prof.  J.  R.  Robertson,  of  Franklin,  Venango  county, 
mentions  the  Common  Tern  as  a  very  rare  and  uncertain  visitor  in  that 
locality.  Several  specimens  of  this  species  have  been  captured  when 
migrating,  particularly  in  the  autumn,  in  the  counties  of  Chester,  Dela- 
ware and  Philadelphia.  The  Common  Tern  breeds  in  New  Jersey  and 
elsewhere  along  the  Atlantic,  and  also  about  many  of  the  large  inland 
lakes  and  ponds. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  21 


Sterna  paradissea  BRUNN. 

Arctic  Tern. 

DESCRIPTION. 

"Adult.—  Upper  part  of  the  head  and  hind  neck  black;  back  and  wings  light 
grayish-blue ;  first  primary  deep-black  on  the  outer  web,  dusky-gray  on  the  inner 
next  the  shaft,  and  over  the  entire  web  at  the  end,  inner  margin  of  inner  web  white; 
the  next  five  primaries  are  bluish-gray  on  the  outer  web  and  on  the  inner  web  next 
the  shaft,  this  color  extending  over  the  entire  web  at  the  end,  where  it  is  blackish- 
gray  on  the  inner  margin,  the  remaining  part  of  inner  web  white  ;  central  tail  feath- 
ers and  inner  webs  of  the  others  white,  the  outer  web  of  the  outer  tail  feather  black- 
ish-gray, the  outer  webs  of  the  two  next  pale  bluish-gray  ;  rump,  sides  of  the  head, 
and  under  tail  coverts,  white  ;  under  plumage  bluish-gray,  of  a  lighter  shade  than 
the  back  ;  bill  deep  carmine ;  iris,  brown  ;  legs  and  feet  dark  crimson.  Length, 
14|  ;  wing,  10^  ;  tail,  6| ;  bill,  1£;  tarsus,  *."— B.  B.  of  N.  A. 

Habitat. — Northern  Hemisphere  ;  in  North  America  breeding  from  Massachu- 
setts to  the  Arctic  regions,  and  wintering  southward  to  Virginia  and  California. 

The  Arctic  Tern,  is  a  very  rare  straggler  in  eastern  Pennsylvania. 
About  four  years  ago  I  was  shown  two  of  these  birds  by  Mr.  C.  D. 
Wood,  of  Philadelphia,  which  he  said  had  been  shot  in  September  on 
the  Delaware  river  below  Philadelphia.  Dr.  John  W.  Detwiller,  of  Beth- 
lehem, has  in  his  collection  a  specimen  of  this  Tern,  captured  by  him- 
self on  the  Lehigh  river  in  the  fall.  In  Berks  county,  according  to  Mr. 
D.  Frank  Keller,  the  Arctic  Tern  is  an  accidental  visitor.  I  have  never 
seen  the  Arctic  Tern  in  Pennsylvania,  nor  am  I  aware  that  any  of  that 
species,  other  than  those  mentioned  above,  have  been  taken  in  the  state. 

Sterna  dougalli  MONTAG. 

Roseate  Tern. 

DESCRIPTION. 

"Adult.—  Upper  part  of  head  and  long  occipital  feathers  deep  black  ;  hind  neck 
white ;  back  and  wings  pale  bluish-gray  ;  first  primary  blackish-gray  on  the  outer 
web  and  on  the  inner  next  the  shaft ;  the  other  primaries  bluish-gray,  the  second 
and  third  dusky-gray  near  the  shaft ;  all  the  primaries  white  on  the  inner  part  of 
their  inner  webs  ;  secondaries  and  tertiaries  edged  with  white  ;  tail  very  light  pearl- 
gray  ;  entire  under  plumage  white,  with  a  beautiful  roseate  tinge ;  bill  brownish- 
black,  orange  at  base  ;  iris  brown ;  legs  and  feet  vermillion.  Length,  16  inches  ; 
wing,  9^ ;  (extent  about  30)  ;  tail,  8  ;  bill,  l^."— B.  B.  of  N.  A. 

Habitat.—  Temperate  and  tropical  regions  ;  north  on  the  Atlantic  coast  of  North 
America  to  Massachusetts,  and  casually  to  Maine. 

Very  rare  or  accidental  visitor.  I  have  never  seen  the  Roseate  Tern 
in  this  state,  but  give  it  in  this  report  on  the  authority  of  Dr.  L.  D. 
Balliet,  of  DuBois,  who  writes  me  he  has  observed  it  as  a  straggler  in 
Clearfield  county,  Penna. 

NOTE.— In  the  first  edition  of  the  "Birds  of  Pennsylvania"  page  232, 
mention  was  made  of  the  capture  of  specimens  of  Roseate  Terns  on  the 
Schuylkill  and  Delaware  rivers  in  the  neighborhood  of  Philadelphia. 
In  making  this  statement  I  was  in  error,  as  I  have  subsequently  learned 
the  "  specimens  "  referred  to  were  not  taken  in  Pennsylvania. 


22  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

Sterna  antillarum  (LESS.). 

Least  Tern. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  58). 

Adult,  in  spring.— Length  about  9  inches  ;  extent  about  20  inches.  Bill  yellow, 
with  black  tip ;  legs  yellow,  claws  black  ;  iris  brown  ;  a  triangular  white  spot  on 
forehead,  extending  to  eye  ;  narrow  black  line  extending  from  base  of  upper  man- 
dible is  continuous  with  the  black  of  crown  and  region  about  back  of  head  ;  back, 
wings,  rump  and  tail  light  grayish-blue;  two  or  three  outer  primaries  black  on 
upper  surface ;  narrow  line  about  base  of  bill  above  sides  of  head,  neck  and  entire 
under  parts  white. 

Young,  in  August.— Bill  (dried  skin)  blackish-brown ;  lower  mandible  towards 
the  base  and  inside  of  mouth  yellowish-brown  ;  tarsi  yellowish ;  iris  brown  ;  fore- 
head dirty  brownish- white  ;  crown  and  upper  parts  generally  mottled  with  brown  ; 
upper  part  of  wings  mostly  dark  slate  color ;  primaries  darker  than  in  old  bird  ; 
under  plumage  white. 

Habitat.—  Northern  South  America,  northward  to  California  and  New  England, 
and  casually  to  Labrador,  breeding  nearly  throughout  its  range. 

This  handsome  and  graceful  little  bird  is  the  smallest  of  the  Terns. 
Fishermen  on  the  coast  of  New  Jersey,  where  the  Least  Tern  is  a  com- 
mon summer  resident,  know  it  by  the  names  of  "Sea  Swallow,"  "Little 
Gull  "  and  "Striker."  During-  migrations,  particularly  in  the  latter  part 
of  August  and  September,  Least  Terns  are  not  infrequently  met  with 
in  Pennsylvania,  especially  in  the  southeastern  section.  I  have  seen 
seven  of  these  Terns  taken — one  in  the  spring,  the  others  in  August  and 
September — in  the  counties  of  Chester,  Lancaster,  Montgomery  and 
Delaware  in  the  past  ten  years.  Hon.  Gerard  C.  Brown,  of  Yorkana, 
has  observed  it  in  York  county  as  a  straggler.  Dr.  John  W.  Detwiller, 
of  Bethlehem,  shot  one  on  the  Lehigh  river,  in  the  fall,  and  in  Berks 
county  Mr.  D.  Frank  Keller  says  it  is  an  accidental  visitor.  According 
to  Prof.  J.  B.  Bobertson,  of  Franklin,  a  straggler  was  once  taken  in  Ven- 
ango  county.  In  the  summer  of  1883,  at  Brigantine,  New  Jersey,  where 
the  Least  Terns  were  then  breeding  in  considerable  numbers,  laying 
their  eggs  in  slight  depressions  in  the  dry  sand  and  among-  the  shells 
on  the  sandhills  along  the  beach,  I  obtained  the  bodies  of  over  seventy- 
five  of  these  Terns  from  two  taxidermists  who  were  collecting  the  skins 
for  New  York  and  Philadelphia  dealers  to  be  us6d  for  ladies'  hats.  An 
examination  of  these  birds— all  killed  in  one  day— showed  that  they  had 
fed  almost  exclusively  on  little  fish ;  not  more  than  four  or  five  had  any 
traces  of  insects  in  their  stomachs. 

Sterna  fuliginosa  GMEL. 

Sooty  Tern. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Adult.—  Length  about  17  inches ;  extent  about  34  inches.  Bill  and  legs  black  ;  iris 
reddish-brown  ;  forehead,  sides  of  head  and  entire  under  parts  white  ;  back,  wings 
and  upper  parts  deep  black. 

In  the  young  the  plumage  is  sooty-brown,  darkest  on  back  and  wings,  grayish  on 
abdomen  ;  lining  of  wings  white  ;  scapulars  and  wing  coverts  tipped  with  white. 


Plate  4. 


Wood  Duck— Summer  Duck. 
1.  Male;  2.  Female. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  23 


Habitat. — Tropical  and  subtropical  coasts  of  the  globe.  In  America  from  Chili  to 
western  Mexico  and  the  Carolinas,  and  casually  to  New  England. 

The  Sooty  Tern  is  a  rather  rare  and  irregular  visitor  in  Pennsylvania 
during-  the  spring  and  fall  migrations.  About  five  years  ago  two  of 
these  Terns  were  taken  in  Delaware  county,  and  I  have  two  specimens 
in  my  collection  that  were  killed  in  Chester  county.  Dr.  John  W.  Det- 
willer,  of  Bethlehem,  has  observed  it  in  his  locality.  Dr.  A.  0.  Treich- 
ler  mentions  this  bird  as  a  straggler  in  the  neighborhood  of  Elizabeth- 
town,  Lancaster  county.  Specimens  captured  in  Ly coming  county,  in 
the  spring  and  fall,  are  in  the  valuable  collection  of  my  esteemed  friend, 
Mr.  August  Koch,  of  Williamsport.  Prof.  J.  E.  Eobertson  writes  me 
that  the  Sooty  Tern  is  an  accidental  visitor  in  Yenango  county. 


GENUS  HYDROCHBLIDON  BOIE. 
Hydrochelidon  nigra  surinamensis  (GMEL.J. 

Black  Tern  ;  Short -tailed  Tern. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Adult,  in  spring  and  breeding  plumage.—  Head,  neck  and  under  parts  black, 
darker  on  head  and  neck  than  on  abdomen,  where  the  color  is  sooty-black  ;  edge  of 
wing  and  under  tail  coverts  white  ;  back,  wings,  rump,  and  tail,  lead  color  ;  under 
surface  of  wings  somewhat  lighter  than  the  upper  parts  ;  bill  (dried  skin)  black; 
tarsi  brownish-yellow  ;  iris  brown.  Length  about  9  inches  ;  extent  about 24  inches. 
Adults  in  winter,  and  young  in  the  fall  have  head,  neck  and  under  parts  mostly 
white. 

Habitat.— Temperate  and  tropical  America.  From  Alaska  and  the  fur  countries 
to  Chili,  breeding  from  the  middle  United  States  northward. 

The  Black  or  Short-tailed  Tern  is  a  rather  irregular,  though  not  an 
uncommon  visitor  during-  the  spring  and  fall  in  different  sections  of 
Pennsylvania.  In  North  America  this  species  has  quite  an  extended 
distribution,  being  found  both  along  the  sea-coasts  and  about  marshes, 
lakes  and  reedy  ponds  in  the  interior.  According  to  various  writers  it 
breeds  more  or  less  abundantly  about  marshes  in  Wisconsin,  Minnesota, 
Michigan,  Dakota,  Oregon,  etc.  Dr.  John  W.  Detwiller,  an  ornitholo- 
gist of  over  twenty-five  years'  experience,  residing  at  Bethleham,  North- 
ampton county,  Pa.,  writes  me,  that, some  years  ago  he  "procured  eggs 
of  the  Black  Tern  upon  drift-wood  on  Lake  Erie,  near  Erie  city."  I 
have  never  had  an  opportunity  of  observing  these  birds  when  breeding, 
and  I  am  not  aware  that  they  are  now  known  to  breed  anywhere  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Erie  county  or  elsewhere  in  our  state.  The  following 
remarks  relative  to  this  species  in  the  breeding  season  are  taken  from 
Mr.  F.  W.  Langton's  "  Summer  Birds  of  a  Northern  Ohio  Marsh :" 
"  A  very  common  summer  resident  in  the  marsh,  nesting,  or  rather  lay- 
ing its  eggs  on  the  islands  of  decaying  vegetation  and  mud  formed  by 
sunken  muskrat  houses.  Three  eggs  constitute  a  full  set,  and  they  are 
apparently  rolled  about  in  the  mud  purposely,  until  well-coated,  so  as 


24  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


to  hide  the  marking's  and  thereby  make  them  less  conspicuous.  In  two 
or  three  instances  only  did  we  observe  any  attempt  at  a  nest,  and 
these  would  not  have  been  recognized  as  such  without  the  egg's,  consist- 
ing as  they  did  of  merely  a  few  fragments  of  grass  or  bulrushes  so  dis- 
posed as  to  prevent  the  eggs  from  rolling ;  inmost  cases  the  eggs  rested 
in  a  slight  depression  on  the  bare  mud.  The  sun  appears  to  be  their 
chief  incubator,  although  the  decaying  vegetation  of  which  the  aband- 
oned muskrat  houses  consist,  doubtless  plays  some  part  in  the  process. 
In  no  instance  did  we  succeed  in  flushing  a  bird  from  the  eggs,  although 
they  would  appear  in  pairs  to  the  number  of  twenty  or  thirty  and  hover 
about  within  a  few  feet  of  our  heads  making  a  great  outcry  when  we 
approached  their  property,  which  was  soon  to  be  ours  by  right  of  dis- 
covery. 

"  At  other  times  the  birds  were  not  at  all  gregarious,  being  usually 
observed  foraging  singly  or  in  pairs.  Several  young  of  the  year  were 
taken,  thus  confirming  the  statement  of  the  resident  who  informed  us 
that  he  had  taken  numbers  of  the  eggs  of  the  first  brood  in  May.  Of 
the  dozen  or  more  sets  of  eggs  taken  by  us  early  in  July,  more  than  half 
were  fresh  or  nearly  so."  At  Erie  Bay,  near  the  city  of  Erie,  single  in- 
dividuals or  small  flocks  of  these  Terns  are  seen  nearly  every  spring  and 
fall.  Mr.  George  B.  Sennett,  of  Erie,  a  gentleman  to  whom  I  am  greatly 
indebted  for  much  valuable  information  concerning  the  bird-life  of  the 
Erie-Crawford  district,  has  observed  the  Black  Tern  in  the  vicinity  of 
Erie  city  only  during  the  spring  and  fall.  I  have  in  my  collection  four 
Black  Terns,  three  of  which  were  captured  in  Chester  county  (two  in  fall, 
one  in  spring),  the  other  was  shot  in  Delaware  county  (September,  1880). 
The  following-named  gentlemen  report  the  occurrence  of  this  species  in 
their  respective  localities  :  Lycoming  county — an  irregular  spring  and 
fall  visitor— August  Koch,  Williamsport,  Pa.  Lancaster  county— a  strag- 
gler— Dr.  A.  C.  Treichler,  Elizabethtown,  Pa.  Venango  county — a  rare 
straggler — Prof.  J.  R.  Eobertson,  Franklin,  Pa.  Mercer  county—"  one 
specimen  shot  in  the  spring,  1887" — S.  S.  Overmoyer,  New  Lebanon, 
Pa.  Cumberland  county — one  seen  in  the  autumn — Messrs.  Win.  M.  and 
S.  F.  Baird  (List  of  Birds  of  Cumberland  County,  Pa.,  published  in  1844). 

FAMILY  RYNCHOPHXffi.     SKIMMERS. 

THE  SKIMMERS. 

Only  one  species  of  this  family  is  found  in  the  United  States.  These  birds  have 
extremely  long  wings  and  webbed  feet,  but  like  the  Terns,  they  rarely,  if  ever,  it  is 
said,  swim  or  rest  upon  the  water.  They  have  exceedingly  odd-looking  bills  ;  both 
mandibles  are  quite  flat,  with  blunt  ends  ;  the  upper  mandible  is  much  shorter  than 
the  lower.  They  subsist  almost  exclusively  on  fish  which  they  catch  when  skim- 
ming close  to  the  water's  surface. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  25 


GENUS  RYNCHOPS  LINN. 
Rynchops  nigra  LINN. 

Black  Skimmer. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Adult. — Length  about  19  inches ;  extent  about  50  inches.  The  upper  mandible  in 
specimen  before  me  is  nearly  f  of  an  inch  shorter  than  the  lower;  both  mandibles 
have  obtuse  ends,  the  lower  being  very  blunt  and  rounded  ;  lower  mandible  much 
more  flattened  throughout  its  length  than  the  upper  ;  both  edges  of  lower  mandible 
are  sharp,  and  the  upper  edge  fits  in  a  groove,  extending  along  the  entire  length  of 
upper  mandible.  Forehead,  lores,  sides  of  head,  chin,  throat,  front  of  neck  and  rest 
of  under  plumage,  tips  of  secondaries,  sides  of  upper  tail  coverts  and  greater  part  of 
tail  white;  crown,  back  of  neck,  back,  wings,  most  of  rump  and  central  tail  feathers 
brownish-black  ;  bill  (dried  skin)  basal  half  yellowish  (carmine  in  freshly  killed 
specimens),  rest  brownish -black  ;  tarsi  and  feet  reddish-brown  ;  the  black  claws  are 
rather  long,  sharp  and  curved. 

Habitat.—  Warmer  parts  of  America,  north  on  the  Atlantic  coast  to  New  Jersey, 
and  casually  to  the  Bay  of  Fundy. 

This  species  is  given  as  a  Pennsylvania  bird  on  the  authority  of  the 
late  C.  D.  Wood,  of  Philadelphia,  from  whom  I  obtained  a  single  speci- 
men which  he  assured  me  was  shot  by  himself  near  Philadelphia,  shortly 
after  a  severe  storm  in  September,  1880.  This  specimen  is,  I  believe, 
the  only  one  of  its  species  that  has  ever  been  recorded  in  the  state.  In 
the  summer  of  1883 — June  and  August — when  visiting1  at  Brigantine 
Beach,  New  Jersey,  I  saw  a  few  of  these  birds  in  flocks  of  seven  to 
twelve  each.  Fishermen  and  other  residents  of  the  place  informed  me 
they  bred  every  year  in  that  locality.  It  is  said  that  this  species  still 
breeds  sparingly  in  New  Jersey,  which  is,  I  have  no  doubt,  about  the 
northern  limit  of  their  breeding  range.  Black  Skimmers  were  quite 
plentiful  on  several  islands  along  the  eastern  shore  of  Virginia,  where  I 
remained  for  a  few  days  in  August,  1879. 


ORDER  TUBINARES.    TTJBE-NOSED  SWIMMERS. 

FAMILY  PROCELLARIHXffi.     PETRELS,  ETC. 

THE  PETRELS,  ETC. 

The  birds  of  this  family  are  strictly  oceanic.  The  few  individuals  that  have  been 
observed  in  Pennsylvania  have  all  been  found  during  or  after  storms  that  have 
driven  them  inland.  "  The  plumage  is  compact  and  oily  to  resist  water ;  the  sexes 
appear  to  be  always  alike,  and  no  seasonal  changes  are  determined ;  but  some  vari- 
ation with  age,  or  as  a  matter  of  individ.ua!  peculiarity,  certainly  occurs  in  many 
cases.  The  food  is  entirely  of  an  animal  nature,  and  fatty  substances,  in  particular, 
are  eagerly  devoured.  When  irritated  many  species  eject  an  oily  fluid  from  the 
mouth  or  nostrils,  and  some  are  so  fat  as  to  be  occasionally  used  for  lamps,  a  wick 
being  run  through  the  body.  The  eggs  are  few,  or  only  one,  laid  in  a  rude  nest  or 


26  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

none,  on  the  ground  or  in  a  burrow.  Petrels  are  silent  birds,  as  a  rule,  contrasting 
with  gulls  and  terns  in  this  particular.  Many  or  most  are  gregarious,  congregating 
by  thousands  at  their  breeding  places  or  where  food  is  plenty."— Coues'  Key  N.  A. 
Birds. 


GENUS  PUFFINUS  BRISSON. 
Puffinus  major  FABER. 

Greater  Shearwater. 

DESCRIPTION. 

"  Adult.—  Head  above  cheeks,  occiput,  a  narrow  line  on  the  nape  and  upper  part  of 
back  brownish-ash,  paler  on  the  hind  neck  ;  feathers  of  the  back  with  lighter  margins , 
lower  part  of  back  dark-brown;  upper  tail  coverts  of  same  color,  terminating 
broadly  with  grayish-white  ;  primaries  and  tail  brownish-black,  the  former  white 
on  the  basal  part  of  the  inner  webs ;  secondaries  and  tertiaries  dark  brown,  the  sec- 
ondaries white  on  their  inner  webs  nearly  to  the  end ;  wing  coverts  ashy-brown, 
with  lighter  margins ;  under  plumage  pure  white,  the  neck  nearly  encircled  with 
white ;  sides  of  the  neck,  anterior  to  the  bend  of  the  wings,  marked  with  waving 
lines  of  pale  ash  ;  lower  tail  coverts  dark  ash,  with  light-gray  edgings ;  bill  yellowish- 
green,  the  tip  brownish-black ;  .iris  brown ;  tarsi  and  feet  livid  yellow.  Length 
about  20  inches  ; "  (extent  about  45  inches.)— laird's  Birds  of  N.  A. 

Habitat.— Atlantic  Ocean  ;  south  to  Cape  Horn  and  Cape  of  Good  Hope. 

A  single  bird  of  this  species — the  only  one,  so  far  as  I  have  been  able 
to  learn,  that  has  been  taken  within  our  borders — is  recorded  by  the 
late  Dr.  Ezra  Michener  as  an  accidental  visitor  in  Chester  county.  I 
have  never  seen  the  Shearwater  in  its  natural  state,  hence  cannot  give, 
from  my  own  observations,  anything  concerning  it.  "Audubon  men- 
tions finding  this  species  ranging  from  the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence  to  that 
of  Mexico ;  but  he  very  rarely  met  with  it  near  the  coast.  In  sailing  to 
Labrador,  when  off  the  coast  of  Nova  Scotia,  one  evening  in  June,  about 
sunset,  he  observed  a  great  number  flying  from  the  rocky  shore,  and 
believed  they  were  breeding  there.  In  this  belief  he  was  confirmed  by 
the  fact  that  hardly  one  was  to  be  seen  there  by  day,  that  being  the 
time  when  these  birds  are  in  the  habit  of  remaining  about  their  nests. 
In  September  they  are  to  be  seen  far  from  land,  both  by  day  and  by 
night ;  and  in  calm  weather  they  alight  on  the  water  and  may  then  be 
easily  approached.  They  swim  buoyantly,  and  when  sporting  on  the 
water  present  a  very  graceful  appearance.  Two  that  had  been  caught 
with  hooks  walked  about  as  well  as  ducks.  On  being  approached  they 
would  open  their  bills,  raise  their  feathers,  and  ejected  through  their 
nostrils  an  oily  substance.  *  *  *  They  refused  all  sorts  of  food,  and, 
being  very  unpleasant  pets,  were  soon  set  at  liberty,  when,  instead  of 
flying  away  directly,  they  plunged  into  the  water,  dived  about,  then 
splashed  and  washed  themselves,  before  they  took  to  their  wings,  flying 
with  their  usual  ease  and  grace,  In  the  stomachs  of  those  he  opened 
Audubon  found  portions  of  fish,  crabs,  sea-weeds  and  oily  substances." — 
B.  B.  and  R.  Birds  of  N.  A.,  Vol.  ii. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  27 

GENUS  PROCELLARIA  LINN^US. 
Procellaria  pelagica  LINN. 

Stormy  Petrel ;  "Mother  Carey's  Chicken.*' 

DESCRIPTION. 

Adult.—  Tail  very  slightly  rounded ;  legs  short ;  length  about  5£  inches  ;  bill  and 
feet  black  ;  iris  quite  or  nearly  black  ;  upper  tail  coverts  white,  except  towards  the 
ends,  which  are  blackish  ;  upper  parts  brownish-black  ;  lower  parts  grayish-sooty 
black. 

Habitat.— Atlantic  Ocean,  south  on  the  American  side  to  the  Newfoundland  banks, 
west  coast  of  Africa  and  coast  of  Europe. 

Accidental  visitor  in  Pennsylvania.  According  to  Dr.  Turnbull  (Birds 
of  East  Pennsylvania),  one  was  captured  under  Market  street  bridge  in 
Philadelphia.  Dr.  W.  L.  Hartman,  of  Pittston,  mentions  the  Stormy 
Petrel  as  an  accidental  visitor  in  Luzerne  county. 

GENUS  OCEANODROMA  REICHENBACH. 
Oceanodroma  leucorhoa  (VIEILL.). 

Leach's  Petrel. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Adult.— Legs  short;  larger  than  the  Stormy  Petrel,  which  it  resembles  in  colora- 
tion, but  is  easily  recognized  by  the  forked  tail. 

Habitat. — North  Atlantic  and  north  Pacific  Oceans;  south  on  the  coast  of  the 
United  States  to  Virginia  and  California ;  breeds  from  Maine  and  the  Hebrides  north- 
ward on  the  coasts  of  the  Atlantic. 

Leach's  Petrel  is  the  common  "  Mother  Carey's  Chicken  "  to  be  seen 
on  the  Atlantic  from  Chesapeake  Bay  northward.  This  species  has  been 
observed  only  as  a  rare  straggler  in  Pennsylvania,  whither  it  has  been 
driven  by  fierce  storms  of  wind  and  rain.  Dr.  W.  P.  Turnbull  (Birds  of 
East  Pennsylvania},  says:  "During  a  gale  in  August,  1842,  a  number 
were  driven  inland."  In  September,  1879,  I  had  a  specimen  presented 
to  me  by  the  late  Dr.  George  Martin,  of  West  Chester,  who  had  picked 
it  up  in  his  yard  in  an  exhausted  and  dying  condition.  Captain  A.  A. 
Clay,  of  Rasselas,  Pa.,  informs  me  that  a  relative  of  his  killed  one  about 
four  years  ago  on  a  small  pond  in  Elk  county. 

NOTE. — The  Wilson's  Petrel  (Oceanites  oceanicus)  has  been  captured, 
it  is  said,  in  Pennsylvania,  but  as  my  informant  is  not  quite  clear  on  this 
matter  I  do  not  deem  it  best  to  include  the  species  in  our  fauna.  The 
plumage  of  Wilson's  Petrel  is  very  much  the  same  in  coloration  as  the 
Stormy  Petrel,  but  it  differs  from  this  latter  bird  in  having  very  long 
legs,  and  the  interdigital  webs  spotted  with  yellow. 


28  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


ORDER  STEGANOPODES.     TOTIPALMATE  SWIMMERS. 
FAMILY  PHALACROCORACHXflS.    CORMORANTS. 

CORMORANTS.* 

These  birds  are  found  more  or  less  abundantly  in  nearly  all  parts  of  the  world. 
About  twenty-five  species,  it  is  stated,  are  known  to  science.  According  to  different 
writers  we  have  in  North  America  eleven  or  twelve  kinds  of  these  curious  birds.  A 
single  species  is  known  to  occur  in  Pennsylvania.  Although  most  numerous  on  the 
sea-coast,  many  of  them  visit  lakes  and  large  rivers  in  the  interior.  They  are  of  a 
gregarious  nature,  and  frequently  great  numbers  are  observed  together,  especially 
when  breeding.  Cormorants  in  company  with  Great  Blue  Herons  (Ardea  herodias) 
and  Water  Turkeys  ( Anhinga  anhinga)  breed  in  considerable  numbers  on  large 
lakes  in  the  interior  of  Florida.  The  rather  bulky  nests  are  constructed  principally 
of  sticks  and  are  built  on  high  rocky  ledges,  or  on  trees  and  thick  bushes  ;  eggs, 
two  to  five  in  number,  are  a  pale  greenish-blue  color,  overlaid  with  a  yellowish- 
white  chalky  crust.  The  Chinese  train  Cormorants  to  catch  fish  for  the  market. 
The  prudent  Chinaman  knowing  the  voracious  nature  of  his  feathered  servant  places 
a  band  or  close-fitting  collar  about  the  bird's  neck  before  it  starts  from  its  perch  in 
search  of  the  finny  tribe.  Cormorants  subsist  almost  entirely  on  fish ;  they  are  good 
swimmers,  expert  divers,  but  walk  poorly.  In  these  birds  the  body  is  heavy,  the 
neck  long,  the  long,  stiff  tail  is  composed  of  12  or  14  feathers,  and  the  four  long  toes 
are  all  connected  by  webs.  All  have  a  leathery  sack  at  the  base  of  the  lower 
mandible. 

GENUS  PHALACROCORAX  BRISSON. 
Phalacrocorax  dilophus  (Sw.  &  RICH.). 

Double-crested  Cormorant. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Adult.— Bill  rather  long,  stout  and  slightly  tapering  ;  upper  mandible  strongly 
hooked  and  acute  ;  gular  sac  naked  ;  nostrils  not  visible ;  tail  12  feathers.  Length 
about  30  inches ;  extent  about  48  inches  ;  upper  mandible  brownish  above  and  yel- 
lowish on  sides  ;  lower,  mainly  yellow  ;  naked  skin  about  the  eyes  and  gular  pouch 
orange-yellow  ;  inside  of  mouth  black  ;  iris  green  ;  legsandfeet  black.  Head,  neck, 
lower  part  of  back,  rump  and  under  parts  giossy  greenish-black  ;  upper  portion  of 
back  and  wings  brownish-black,  with  many  feathers  bordered  with  black  ;  curly 
black  tufts  on  sides  of  head  back  of  eye  ;  tail  black.  Specimen  taken  in  the  fall  has 
no  lateral  crests ;  the  head  and  neck  brownish-black  and  the  body  above  and  below 
is  mainly  black,  with  a  faint  greenish-gloss. 

Habitat.— Eastern  coast  of  North  America,  breeding  from  the  Bay  of  Fundy 
northward  ;  southward  in  the  interior  to  the  great  lakes  and  Wisconsin. 

The  only  locality  in  this  state  where  the  Double-crested  Cormorant 
has  been  observed  appears  to  be  on  the  lake  shore  in  Erie  county,  where 
Messrs.  George  B.  Sennett  and  Mr.  James  Thompson,  both  residing-  in 
Erie  city,  inform  me  it  occurs  as  a  somewhat  rare  and  irregular  visitor 
late  in  the  fall  or  early  winter.  October  26,  1889,  when  shooting  ducks 
on  the  "  peninsula  "  near  Erie  city,  Mr.  James  Thompson  and  a  com- 

*  In  the  first  edition  of  the  Birds  of  Pennsylvania,  page  232,  the  Cormorant  (P.  carbo)  was  given  as  a 
"  very  rare,  or  accidental  winter  visitor. "  and  that  Mr.  H.  B.  Graves  had  obtained  one  in  Berks  county. 
1  have  recently  ascertained  that  the  bird  referred  to  was  not  captured  in  Berks  county  or  in  Pennsylvania. 


1 

i 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  29 


panion  saw  three  of  these  birds  fly  down  to  their  decoys ;  one,  a  fine 
male,  was  shot  and  kindly  presented  to  me  by  Mr.  Thompson.  From 
the  stomach  of  this  specimen  a  fish — known  locally  as  "  buffalo-sucker  "- 
measuring  between  eight  and  nine  inches  in  length  was  taken.  Mr. 
Sennett  has  one  or  two  Cormorants  in  his  collection,  captured  recently 
in  the  locality  above-mentioned. 

FAMILY  PELECANID^E.     PELICANS. 

THE  PELICANS. 

Pelicans  are  large-sized  birds,  with  long,  large,  straight,  rather  broad  and  sharply 
hooked  and  acute  bills ;  they  have  short  stout  legs  and  webbed  feet.  Below  the 
lower  mandible  and  connected  with  throat  is  a  large  sac  or  pouch,  capable  of  con- 
siderable expansion  ;  the  capacity  of  this  pouch,  which  is  largest  in  the  brown  peli- 
can, will  hold  when  distended,  it  is  stated,  over  a  gallon.  In  writing  of  these  birds 
Dr.  Coues  (Key  to  N.  A.  Birds)  says  in  referring  to  the  bill, ."  this  organ  is  used 
like  a  dip-net  to  catch  fish  with  ;  when  it  is  filled,  the  bird  closes  and  throws  up  the 
bill,  contracts  the  pouch,  letting  the  water  run  out  of  the  corners  of  its  mouth  and 
swallows  the  prey.  Pelicans  feed  in  two  ways  ;  most  of  them,  like  our  white  one, 
scoop  up  fish  as  they  swim  along  on  the  water  ;  but  the  brown  species  plunges  head- 
long into  the  water  from  on  wing,  like  a  gannet,  and  makes  a  grab,  often  remaining 
submerged  for  a  few  seconds.  Neither  species  often  catches  large  fish  ;  they  prefer 
small  fry  of  which  several  hundred  may  be  required  forafull  meal.  The  prevalent 
impression  that  the  pouch  serves  to  convey  live  fish,  swimming  in  water,  to  the  little 
pelicans  in  the  nest,  is  untrue  ;  the  young  are  fed  with  partially  macerated  fish  dis- 
gorged by  the  parents  from  the  crop.  As  Audubon  remarks,  it  is  doubtful  whether 
a  pelican  could  fly  at  all  with  its  burden  so  out  of  trim" — (Cones1  Key).  On  the 
ground  they  move  awkwardly,  but  when  flying  they  progress  in  a  slow  yet  easy 
manner  by  a  regular  flapping  of  the  wings  ;  they  swim  gracefully.  The  white 
species,  it  is  said,  like  some  of  the  Cormorants,  has  been  tamed  and  taught  to  catch 
fish.  The  nest,  a  bulky  structure  of  sticks,  grass,  etc.,  according  to  different  writers, 
is  placed  usually  on  the  ground,  and  sometimes  in  trees  or  low  bushes  ;  the  eggs, 
from  one  to  four  in  number,  are  described  as  a  dull  white,  with  a  roughened  chalky 
shell  and  more  or  less  blood-stained.  Three  species  found  in  the  United  States  in- 
habit chiefly  the  temperate  and  tropical  regions  ;  they  frequent  sea-coasts,  bays,  large 
rivers,  and  also  many  of  the  large  lakes  in  the  interior. 

GENUS  PELECANTJS  LINNAEUS. 
Pelecanus  erythrorhynchos  GMEL. 

American  White  Pelican. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Length  5  or  6  feet ;  extent  8  to  9^  feet ;  weight  is  said  to  range  from  15  to  20  pounds. 

Adult.—  General  color  pure  white;  primaries  black;  lengthened  feathers  of  head 
and  breast  light-yellow  ;  bill,  pouch,  legs  and  feet  yellowish. 

Habitat.—  Temperate  North  America,  north  in  the  interior  to  about  latitude  61°, 
south  to  Central  America  ;  now  rare  or  accidental  in  the  northeastern  states  ;  abun- 
dant in  the  Middle  Province  and  along  the  Gulf  coast ;  common  on  the  coast  of  Cal- 
ifornia and  western  Mexico. 

The  White  Pelican  is  a  very  rare  and  irregular  visitor  in  Pennsylva- 
nia. At  long-  intervals  stragglers  of  this  species  have  been  observed  on 
the  Delaware  and  Susquehamia  rivers.  Mr.  Georg-e  B.  Sennett,  of  Erie, 


30  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

informs  me  a  few  of  these  birds  were  seen,  about  fifteen  or  twenty  years 
ago,  in  the  neighborhood  of  Erie  city.  Dr.  Walter  Yan  Fleet,  of  Renovo, 
mentions  it  as  an  accidental  visitor  in  Clinton  county.  About  five  or  six 
years  ago  three  or  four  of  these  Pelicans  were  seen  on  the  Susquehanna 
river,  at  Keating;  one  of  them  was  shot  and  is  now  in  the  possession  of 
a  gentleman  residing  at  Renovo,  Pa.,  a  delightful  summer  resort  in  the 
mountains,  on  the  Philadelphia  and  Erie  railroad. 


ORDER  ANSERES.  LAMELLIROSTRAL  SWIMMERS. 

FAMILY  ANATHXflS.    DUCKS,  GEESE,  AND  SWANS. 

THE  DUCKS,  ETC. 

The  ducks,  geese  and  swans,  according  to  Dr.  Coues  {Key  to  N.  A.  Birds'),  are 
represented  by  nearly  one  hundred  and  seventy-five  species,  inhabiting  all  parts  of 
the  world.  Of  this  large  number  there  are  probably  about  fifty  kinds  which  occur 
regularly  in  different  parts  of  the  United  States,  as  residents  or  during  migrations. 
In  Pennsylvania  nearly  twenty  species  are  found  during  the  spring  and  fall  migra- 
tions and  in  winter.  But  few  species  are  now  known  to  breed  regularly  in  this 
state  ;  in  fact,  the  Wood  Duck  (Aix  sponsa),  it  seems,  is  the  only  one  that  may  be 
said  to  be  at  all  common  and  fairly  well  distributed  (in  the  wooded  and  thinly  pop- 
ulated districts  chiefly)  as  a  breeder.  Several  species  are  also  found  in  different 
sections  of  the  state  as  rare  and  irregular  visitants,  and  occasionally  a  few  others, 
which  have  wandered  considerably  from  their  common  range,  are  captured  here. 
The  Canada  Goose,  the  Mergansers,  the  Wood,  Ruddy  and  Buflie-head  ducks,  and 
some  few  other  kinds  are  met  with  quite  frequently  about  the  rivers,  creeks,  lakes, 
and  numerous  ponds  in  nearly  all  parts  of  the  state.  The  great  majority  of  the 
members  of  this  important  family  which  visit  here  are,  however,  found  mainly  on 
the  large  rivers — especially  £he  Susquehanna — and  about  the  shores  of  Lake  Erie. 

The  best  locations  for  duck  shooting  in  this  state  are  at  different  points  on  the 
Susquehanna,  from  Harrisburg  southward,  and  at  Erie  bay,  where  several  species 
are  quite  numerous  every  year  during  the  regular  migrations.  "It  is  not  easy  to 
overrate  the  economic  importance  of  this  large  family.  It  is  true  that  the  Mergan- 
sers, some  of  the  sea  ducks  and  certain  maritime  geese  that  feed  chiefly  upon  animal 
substances,  are  scarcely  fit  for  food  ;  but  the  great  majority  afford  a  bounteous  sup- 
ply of  sapid  meat— a  chief  dependence,  indeed,  with  the  population  of  some  inhos- 
pitable regions.  Such  is  the  case,  for  example,  in  the  boreal  parts  of  this  continent, 
whither  vast  bands  ot  water- fowl  resort  to  breed  during  the  fleeting  Arctic  summer. 
Their  coming  marks  a  season  of  comparative  plenty  in  places  where  hunger  often 
pinches  the  belly,  and  their  warm,  downy  covering  is  patched  into  garments  almost 
cold-proof. 

"The  general  traits  of  the  anserine  birds  are  too  well  known  to  require  more  than 
passing  notice.  They  are  salacious  to  a  degree,  remarkable  even  in  the  hot-blooded, 
passionate  class  of  birds ;  a  circumstance  rendering  the  production  of  hybrids  fre- 
quent, and  favoring  the  study  of  this  subject.  If  we  recall  the  peculiar  actions  of 
geese  nipping  herbage,  and  of  ducks  'dabbling'  in  the  water,  and  know  that  some 
species,  as  the  Mergansers,  pursue  fish  and  other  live  prey  under  water,  we  have 
the  principal  modes  of  feeding.  Nidification  is  usually  on  the  ground,  sometimes  in 
a  hollow  tree  ;  the  nest  is  often  warmly  lined  with  live  feathers ;  the  eggs  are  usu- 
ally of  some  plain  pale  color,  as  greenish,  drab  or  creamy  ;  the  clutch  varies  in  num- 
ber, commonly  ranging  from  half  a  dozen  to  a  dozen  and  a  half.  The  young  are 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  31 


clothed  in  a  stiffish  down,  and  swim  at  once.  Among  the  ducks  and  Mergansers 
marked  sexual  diversity  in  color  is  the  rule  ;  the  reverse  is  the  case  with  swans  and 
geese.  A  noteworthy  coloration  of  many  species,  especially  of  ducks,  is  the  specu- 
lum—a.  brightly-colored,  generally  iridescent  area  on  the  secondary  quills.  Most  of 
the  species  are  migratory,  particularly  those  of  the  northern  hemisphere  ;  the  flight 
is  performed  in  bauds,  that  seem  to  preserve  discipline  as  well  as  companionship, 
and  with  such  regularity  that  no  birds  are  better  entitled  to  the  claim  of  weather- 
prophets."—  Cones'  Key  to  North  American  Birds. 

SUBFAMILY  MERGINJE.    MERGANSERS. 
THE  MERGANSERS. 

The  Mergansers,  or  Fishing  Ducks,  are  probably  the  most  common  of  all  "wild 
ducks"  about  our  smaller  streams  and  ponds  during  the  winter  season.  Mergan- 
sers can  easily  be  recognized  by  the  bill,  which  is  long  (two  inches  or  more  in 
length),  hooked,  almost  cylindrical,  quite  slender  and  furnished  with  saw-like  teeth. 
Like  the  Loons,  Cormorants,  etc.,  these  birds,  when  swimming  under  the  water,  em- 
ploy their  wings  in  the  same  manner  as  when  flying  in  the  air.  They  subsist  almost 
exclusively  on  fish  ;  their  flesh  is  dark  colored,  quite  tough  and  unpalatable.  Three 
species  of  this  subfamily  are  found  in  the  United  States,  and  all  occur  in  Pennsyl- 
vania. 

GENUS  MERGANSER  BRISSON. 
Merganser  americanus  (CASS.)- 

American  Merganser ;  Goosander ;  Fish-duck ;  Sheldrake. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Nostrils  large  and  situated  about  in  middle  of  bill  ;  bill  longer  than  head  ;  feathers 
of  forehead  extend  beyond  those  on  sides  of  bill.  Legs  and  bill  chiefly  red  ;  iris  in 
male  carmine  and  in  female  reddish-yellow. 

Male.— Head  and  upper  part  of  neck  very  dark  glossy-green  ;  head  slightly 
crested ;  upper  part  of  back  black ;  lower  part  of  neck,  breast  and  greater  part  of 
wings  (the  latter  crossed  by  black  band)  white  ;  under  parts  salmon-colored. 

Female,  is  somewhat  smaller  than  male,  and  has  a  rather  conspicuous  occipital 
crest ;  head  and  neck  reddish-brown  ;  upper  parts  ashy-gray  ;  lower  parts  similar 
to  male,  but  much  paler.  Length  about  26  inches  ;  extent  about  33  inches. 

Habitat.— North  America  generally,  breeding  south  to  the  northern  United 
States. 

This  species,  the  largest  of  the  Mergansers,  is  found  generally  through- 
out the  state  as  a  common  spring  and  fall  migrant,  and  in  winter  it 
occurs  quite  frequently  in  many  parts  of  the  state,  particularly  in  the 
southern  counties.  The  American  Merganser  is  the  most  abundant  of 
the  three  species  inhabiting  this  region,  and  in  former  years  it  unques- 
tionably bred  regularly  in  various  localities  in  Pennsylvania.  Nuttall 
gives  an  interesting  account  of  the  discovery  of  a  female  Merganser  with 
a  brood  of  eight  young,  not  larger  than  the  egg  of  a  goose,  on  the  Sus- 
quehanna  river  (Pa.)  in  May,  1832.  In  1844  the  Messrs.  Baird*  recorded 
this  species  as  breeding  in  Perry  county,  and  in  the  ornithological  re- 
port of  the  late  Judge  Libhart,  published  about  twelve  or  fifteen  years 

*  List  of  birds  found  In  the  vicinity  of  Carlisle.  Cumberland  county.  Pa.,  by  William  M.  and  Spencer 
F  Baird.  published  April,  1844  ;  American  Journal  Sciences  and  Arts,  Vol.  XL  VI.  Hereafter  whenever 
reference  is  made  to  the  Baird  List,  it  will  apply  to  this  publication. 


32  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


ago  in  the  history  of  Lancaster  county,  Pa.,  the  Goosander,  also  the 
Red-breasted  and  Hooded  Mergansers  are  all  mentioned  as  breeding  in 
Lancaster  county.  According  to  Mr.  E.  A.  Samuels  (Our  Northern  and 
Eastern  Birds}  this  species  "  is  one  of  the  most  abundant  summer  resi- 
dents in  the  lake  region  of  northern  Maine."  Dr.  Walter  Van  Fleet,  of 
Renovo,  Pa.,  says  this  Merganser  breeds  in  Clinton  county.  Prof.  Au- 
gust Koch,  of  Williamsport,  Pa.,  in  a  letter  addressed  to  me  dated  June 
26,  1889,  writes  as  follows :  "  The  Hooded  and  American  Mergansers 
are  regular  breeders  (in  Ly coming  county) ;  have  taken  the  young  of 
both  before  they  were  able  to  fly."  From  all  the  information  I  can 
obtain  the  Goosander  has  not  been  known  to  breed  for  many  years  past 
anywhere  in  Pennsylvania  other  than  the  counties  of  Clinton  and  Ly- 
coming,  and  in  both  of  these  localities  Dr.  Van  Fleet  and  Prof.  Koch 
have  observed  the  species  to  be  a  rare  summer  resident,  but  common  in 
the  spring  and  fall  and  of  frequent  occurrence  in  the  winter  when  the 
streams  are  not  frozen  over.  I  have  never  had  the  good  fortune  to  find 
a  nest  of  this  species,  but  according  to  different  writers  it  usually  builds 
its  nest  of  leaves,  grasses,  moss,  feathers  and  down,  in  hollow  trees ; 
"eggs  6—8,  elliptical,  buff-colored,  2.75x2." — Coues. 

This  species,  like  all  other  of  our  "  wild  ducks,"  is  exceedingly  shy 
and  difficult  to  approach.  According  to  Audubon,  "the  food  of  the 
Goosander  consists  chiefly  of  fish,  but  also  of  bivalve  shells,  snails, 
leeches,  aquatic  lizards,  crays  and  frogs.  Its'  voracity  is  great,  so  that 
it  consumes  an  extraordinary  quantity  of  fish.  I  have  found  fishes  in 
its  stomach  seven  inches  in  length,  and  of  smaller  kinds,  so  many  as  to 
weigh  more  than  half  a  pound.  Digestion  takes  place  with  great 
rapidity,  insomuch  that  some  which  I  have  had  in  captivity  devoured 
more  than  two  dozen  of  fishes  about  four  inches  in  length,  four  times 
daily,  and  yet  always  seemed  to  be  desirous  of  more." 

The  stomachs  of  nine  of  these  Mergansers,  which  I  have  examined, 
contained  only  the  remains  of  fish. 

Merganser  serrator  (LINN.). 

Red-breasted  Merganser ;  Fish  duck. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Nostrils  narrow  and  situated  near  base  of  bill ;  bill  longer  than  head ;  frontal 
feathers  do  not  extend  beyond  those  on  side  of  bill ;  both  sexes  have  long  and 
pointed  occipital  crests.  Legs  and  bill  are  red,  brighter  in  male  than  female  ;  iris 
carmine. 

Male.—  Head  and  upper  part  of  neck  front  and  back  dark-green  ;  white  ring  about 
lower  part  of  neck;  jugulum  brownish-red,  with  black  and  dusky  streaks ;  back 
black  ;  under  parts  yellowish-white  ;  wings  crossed  by  two  black  bars. 

Female.— Head  grayish  reddish-brown ;  upper  parts  grayish  lead  color ;  throat 
and  under  parts  yellowish-white  and  sides  grayish.  Length  about  24  inches  ;  extent 
about  32  inches. 

Habitat.—  Northern  portion  of  Northern  Hemisphere  ;  south  in  winter  through- 
out the  United  States. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  33 


The  Red-breasted  Merganser,  a  summer  resident  chiefly  north  of  the 
United  States,  appears  to  be  the  rarest  of  the  three  species  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, where  it  is  found  frequenting-,  usually,  rivers  and  large  creeks 
from  late  in  October  until  early  in  April.  Formerly,  according  to  Dr. 
Turnbull,  Judge  Libhart,  and  some  few  other  writers,  this  duck  occa- 
sionally reared  its  young  in  this  state.  None  of  these  birds,  however, 
have  been  observed  for  many  years  past  in  Pennsylvania  as  summer  resi- 
dents, and  I  am  inclined  to  believe  that  this  Merganser  is  not  now  found 
with  us  as  a  breeder. 

The  nest  and  eggs  are  described  by  Audubon,  as  follows  :  "  In  Lab- 
rador, as  well  as  in  several  parts  of  the  United  States,  where  I  have 
found  the  nests,  they  were  placed  within  a  very  short  distance  of  the 
margins  of  fresh-water  ponds,  among  rank  grasses  and  sedges  or  beneath 
low  bushes.  *  *  *  The  nest  is  made  of  dry  weeds  and  mosses  of 
various  kinds,  and  is  warmly  lined  with  down  from  the  breast  of  the 
female  bird,  for  the  male  leaves  her  as  soon  as  she  has  completed  the 
laying  of  the  eggs,  the  number  of  which  I  have  never  found  to  exceed 
ten,  they  being  more  frequently  six  or  eight.  It  is  a  very  remarkable 
fact  that  the  eggs  in  this  family  of  birds  are  usually  even  in  number, 
whereas  in  most  land  birds  they  are  odd.  *  *  *  The  eggs  resemble 
in  form  those  of  the  domestic  fowl,  and  are  of  a  uniform  plain,  dull  yel- 
lowish cream-color." 

The  stomachs  of  three  Red-breasted  Mergansers,  which  I  have  exam- 
ined, contained  only  the  remains  of  fish. 


GENUS  LOPHODYTES  REICHENBACH. 
Lophodytes  cucullatus  (Lnrer.). 

Hooded  Merganser. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  «?). 

Nostrils  rather  long  and  narrow  ;  frontal  feathers  extend  beyond  those  on  sides  of 
bill ;  iris  in  both  sexes  yellow  ;  bill  shorter  than  head  ;  head  with  a  conspicuous, 
compressed  semicircular  crest,  smaller  in  the  female  than  the  male. 

Adult  Male.— Head,  chin,  neck  all  round,  and  back,  black;  white  on  sides  of 
breast  in  front  of  wing,  crossed  by  two  black  crescents,  the  triangular-shaped  centre 
oi  crest,  under  parts,  and  speculum  (the  latter  crossed  with  two  black  bars)  white  ; 
sides  reddish-brown,  barred  with  dusky;  bill  brownish-black,  trasi  (dried  skin) 
dark  brownish-yellow. 

Female  Adult.— Bill  (dried  skin)  upper  mandible  brownish-black,  except  edges 
about  base  and  lower  mandible  yellow  ;  tarsi  and  feet  dark-brown  ;  top  of  head  dark 
glossy-brown  ;  chin  and  upper  part  of  throat  whitish,  breast  and  under  parts  mostly 
white  ;  neck  reddish-brown,  lightest  on  sides  and  darkest  on  back  and  lower  parts ; 
back  and  sides  dark-brown  ;  less  white  on  wings  than  in  male.  Length  about  17 
inches  ;  extent  about  25  inches. 

Habitat.— North  America  generally,  south  to  Mexico  and  Cuba,  breeding  nearly 
throughout  its  range. 

3  BlKDS. 


34  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


This  handsome  bird,  the  smallest  of  the  Mergansers,  is  found  generally 
throughout  North  America.  Nuttall  remarks  that  in  winter  it  migrates 
as  far  south  as  Mexico.  The  Hooded  Merganser  breeds  in  various  por- 
tions of  the  United  States,  and  also  far  northward.  Dr.  Coues  (Birds 
of  the  Northwest)  states  that  it  "  breeds  in  northern  Dakota  and  also  on 
the  upper  Missouri  and  Milk  rivers."  I  have  seen  eggs  of  this  bird 
which  were  labeled  "  Maine,"  and  am  informed  that  young,  but  a  few 
days  old,  have  been  taken  in  New  York  State.  In  Pennsylvania  this 
species  is  rather  common,  and  is  generally  seen  singly  or  in  pairs, 
sometimes  in  flocks  of  five  or  eight,  in  rivers  and  ponds  during  the 
spring,  fall  and  winter  months.  A  few  of  these  ducks  are  also  observed 
here  in  summer,  but  as  natives  they  are  quite  uncommon,  and  they 
have  of  late  years  been  found  breeding  only  in  a  few  secluded  locali- 
ties in  our  state.  Prof.  H.  Justin  Koddy,  of  Millersville,  Pa.,  in  a  letter 
dated  July  15, 1889,  says,  "The  Hooded  Merganser  does  not  now  breed 
regularly  in  Perry  county  (Pa.),  but  I  have  the  last  two  years  secured 
young  specimens ;  one  last  June  (1888),  and  one  this  year  in  the  same 
month.  They  formerly  bred  regularly  along  Sherman's  creek,  near  the 
Warm  Springs."  Mr.  August  Koch,  of  Williamsport,  informs  me  this 
Merganser  is  a  regular  but  rare  breeder  in  Lycoming  county.  The 
late  Wm.  V.  Kambo,  of  West  Chester,  had  in  his  collection  two  adults 
(male  and  female)  of  this  species  which  were  captured  four  years  ago, 
in  midsummer,  in  Union  county.  I  have  an  adult  female  taken  June 
23,  1890,  in  Chester  county,  where  this  Merganser  is  seldom  seen  in 
summer.  "  The  Hooded  Mergansers  that  remain  with  us  nestle  in  the 
same  kind  of  holes  or  hollows  as  the  Wood  Duck ;  at  least  I  have  found 
their  nests  in  such  situations  seven  or  eight  times,  although  I  never  saw 
one  of  them  alight  on  the  branches  of  a  tree,  as  the  birds  just  mentioned 
are  wont  to  do.  They  dive  as  it  were  directly  into  their  wooden  burrows, 
where,  on  a  few  dried  weeds  and  feathers  of  different  kinds,  with  a  small 
quantity  of  down  from  the  breast  of  the  female,  the  eggs,  five  to  eight 
in  number,  are  deposited.  The  young,  like  those  of  the  Wood  Duck, 
are  conveyed  to  the  water  by  their  mother,  who  carries  them  gently  in 
her  bill ;  for  the  male  takes  no  part  in  providing  for  his  offspring,  but 
abandons  his  mate  as  soon  as  incubation  has  commenced.  The  affec- 
tionate mother  leads  her  young  among  the  tall,  rank  grasses  which  fill 
the  shallow  pools  or  the  borders  of  creeks,  and  teaches  them  to  procure 
snails,  tadpoles  and  insects." — Audubon. 

I  have  noticed  that  the  Hooded  Mergansers  are  usually  to  be  found 
about  mill-ponds  and  other  small  bodies  of  water,  while  the  other  two 
species  are  mostly  found  frequenting  the  shallow  borders  of  the  larger 
streams. 

During  the  summer  months  these  birds  are  said  to  feed  on  fishes  and 
various  forms  of  aquatic  insects.  In  the  following  table  will  be  found 
the  stomach  contents  of  eleven  Hooded  Mergansers  examined  by  myself: 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD  MATERIALS. 

1 
2 

November  23,  1881  
December  24  1882 

Chester  county,  Pa  
Philadelphia  Market.  Pa., 

Remains  of  flsh. 
Remains  of  flsh. 

;j 

4 
5 

6 

7 

January  —  ,  1883  
January  —  .  1883  
February  20,  1884  
April  3,  1884  
March  26  1887, 

Philadelphia  Market,  Pa  
Philadelphia  Market.  Pa  
Delaware  county.  Pa  
Chester  county,  Pa  
Chester  county.  Pa  

Remains  of  flsh. 
Remains  of  flsh. 
Remains  of  fish. 
Remains  of  flsh. 
Remains  of  flsh. 

# 

March  26,  1887  

Chester  county.  Pa.  ,    

Remains  of  flsh. 

q 

November  20,  1889  

Philadelphia  Market,  Pa  

Remains  of  flsh. 

10 
11 

November  20,  1889  
June  23  1890 

Philadelphia  Market,  Pa  '      . 
Chester  county   Pa.  . 

Remains  of  flsh. 
Fish  and  beetles. 

SUBFAMILY  ANATIN^E.     RIVER  DUCKS. 

THE  RIVER  DUCKS. 

About  three  dozen  representatives  of  this  subfamily  are  attributed  by  different 
modern  writers  to  North  America,  and  of  this  number  probably  fifteen  species  occur 
quite  regularly  in  Pennsylvania.  Many  of  these  ducks  feed  principally  on  a  vege- 
table diet  and  are  highly  esteemed  as  food,  but  others,  especially  those  that  inhabit 
sea-coast  regions,  and  subsist  almost  entirely  on  different  forms  of  aquatic  animal- 
life  as  mollusks,  shrimps,  etc.,  have  usually  coarse,  dark-colored  and  unpalatable 
flesh.  All  are  good  swimmers  and  some  of  them  are  expert  divers. 


GENUS   ANAS  LINN^US. 


Anas  boschas  LINN. 


Mallard. 


DESCRIPTION. 


Bill  little  longer  than  head,  broad  and  flattened  toward  the  rounded  end. 

"  Male.— Head  and  upper  part  of  neck  glossy-green,  which  is  separated  from  the 
dark  chestnut-brown  of  lower  part  of  neck  and  breast  by  a  white  ring.  Under  parts 
and  sides,  with  the  scapulars,  pale-gray,  very  finely  undulated  with  dusky ;  other 
scapulars  with  brownish  tinge  ;  fore  part  of  back  reddish-brown  ;  posterior  more 
olivaceous ;  crissum  and  upper  tail  coverts  black  ;  tail  externally  white  ;  wing 
coverts  brownish-gray  the  greater  coverts  tipped  with  white  and  narrowly  with 
black ;  speculum  purplish-violet,  terminated  with  black  ;  a  recurved  tuft  of  feathers 
on  rump. 

"  female.— Wing  same  as  in  male ;  under  parts  plain  whitish  ochrey,  each  feather 
obscurely  blotched  with  dusky  ;  head  and  neck  similar,  spotted  and  streaked  with 
dusky  ;  chin  and  throat  above  unspotted  ;  upper  parts  dark-brown,  feathers  edged 
with  reddish-brown."— Baird's  B.  of  N.  A. 

Length  about  24  inches  ;  extent  about  35. 

Habitat.—  Northern  parts  of  Northern  Hemisphere  ;  in  America  south  to  Panama 
and  Cuba,  breeding  southward  to  the  northern  United  States. 

Common  spring-  and  fall  migrant,  much  more  numerous  on  the  Sus- 
quehanna  river  and  about  the  lake  shore  in  Erie  county  than  elsewhere 
throughout  the  state.  Large  flocks  of  these  ducks  are  to  be  seen  every 
spring  and  fall  frequenting  the  grassy  ponds  on  the  peninsula  at  Erie 
bay,  where,  Mr.  James  Thompson,  of  Erie  city,  informs  me,  a  few  strag- 
glers remain  sometimes  during  the  summer  and  rear  their  young.  "The 
Mallard's  nest,  placed  on  the  ground,  g-enerally  close  to  the  water,  is 
made  up  of  dried  grasses,  weeds,  feathers,  etc.  The  eggs  are  described 


36  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


by  Dr.  Coues  as  follows :  "  8-10,  2.25  X  1.60,  smooth,  dingy,  yellowish- 
drab."  The  stomachs  of  fifteen  Mallards,  killed  on  the  Susquehanna  river 
near  Perryville,  Md.,  in  the  spring  and  fall,  which  I  have  examined, 
contained  only  vegetable  substances,  mostly  grasses  and  seeds. 

Anasobscura  GMEL. 

Black  Duck  ;  Dusky  Duck  ;  Black  Mallard. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Size  about  the  same  as  Mallard  (A.  boschas).  Bill  very  similar  in  size  and  shape 
to  that  of  the  Mallard.  The  sexes  are  alike,  and  although  resembling  somewhat  the 
lemale  Mallard  (A.  boschas),  they  can  readily  be  distinguished  from  the  latter  by 
their  darker  color  and  the  conspicuous  white  under  wing  coverts.  Bill  greenish- 
yellow  ;  tarsi  yellowish  ;  iris  brown ;  general  color  brownish-black,  each  feather 
edged  with  rusty-brown  or  grayish ;  primaries  and  most  of  tail  feathers  dusky- 
brown.  Speculum  violet  and  black  (narrowly  tipped  with  white  in  male)  ;  feathers 
on  top  of  head  dusky-brown,  with  rusty  or  grayish  edgings.  Sides  of  head,  chin, 
throat  and  upper  part  of  neck  grayish-white,  with  dark  streaks,  and  in  some  speci- 
mens a  yellowish  tint  on  throat ;  lower  part  of  back  black. 

Habitat.—  Eastern  North  America,  west  to  Utah  and  Texas,  north  to  Labrador, 
breeding  southward  to  the  northern  United  States. 

Spring  and  fall  migrant  but  much  less  common  than  the  Mallard. 
Hunters  residing  in  the  northeastern  part  of  Pennsylvania  assert  that  a 
few  of  these  ducks  are  occasionally  seen  in  summer  frequenting  the 
numerous  ponds  or  lakes  in  Susquehanna  and  Wayne  counties,  where 
possibly  they  occur  as  rare  or  irregular  breeders.  Dr.  John  W.  Det- 
willer,  of  Bethlehem,  Pa.,  mentions  the  Dusky  Duck  as  having  been 
found  by  himself  breeding  in  our  state ;  and  Mr.  W.  K.  Park,  of  Athens, 
Penna.,  has  found  this  duck  nesting  in  Bradford  county.  The  Black 
Duck  breeds  on  the  ground ;  its  eggs  and  nest  are  said  to  be  very  simi- 
lar to  those  of  the  Mallard.  The  food  of  this  species  is  chiefly  of  a 
vegetable  character. 


Anas  strepera  LINN.- 

Gadwall ;  Gray  Duck. 

DESCRIPTION. 

"  Male.—  Head  and  neck  brownish-white,  spotted  with  dusky  ;  top  of  head  tinged 
with  reddish  ;  lower  part  of  neck  with  fore  part  of  breast  and  back  blackish,  with 
concentric  bars  of  white,  giving  a  scaled  appearance  to  feathers ;  interscapular  re- 
gion, outermost  scapulars  and  sides  of  body  finely  waved  transversely  with  black 
and  white.  Middle  wing  coverts  chestnut,  the  greater  velvet  black,  succeeded  by  a 
white  speculum,  bordered  externally  by  heavy  gray,  succeeded  by  black  ;  crissum 
and  upper  tail  coverts  black  ;  inside  of  wing  andaxillars  pure  white  ;  bill  black. 

"Female.— Bill  dusky,  edged  with  reddish  ;  wing  somewhat  like  that  of  male,  but 
with  chestnut-red  more  restricted.  Length  about  22  inches  ;  extent  about  34  inches. " 
—Baird's  B.  of  N.  A. 

Habitat.—  Nearly  cosmopolitan.  In  North  America  breeds  chiefly  within  the 
United  States. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  37 


Regular  but  rather  rare  spring  and  fall  migrant ;  not  known  to  occur 
in  Pennsylvania  as  a  summer  resident.  Although  this  species  is  not 
common  in  the  vicinity  of  Erie,  good-sized  flocks  are  sometimes  seen  in 
company  mostly  with  other  species  about  Erie  bay,  where  the  Gadwall 
appears  to  occur  in  greater  numbers  than  in  other  parts  of  the  state. 


Anas  americana  GMKL. 

Baldpate ;  American  Widgeon. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Bill  shorter  than  head  and  rather  narrow. 

Male.—  Bill  (dried  skin)  dark  blue,  black  at  base  about  feathers  and  at  end  ;  tarsi 
brownish,  webs  and  claws  darker ;  iris  brown  ;  tops  of  head  yellowish-white  (more 
or  less  spotted  in  younger  birds)  ;  broad  patches  of  glossy- green  on  sides  of  head 
extend  from  eyes  backward ;  back  of  neck  also  more  or  less  glossed  with  green  ; 
feathers  in  front  of  eyes,  sides  of  head  and  neck,  chin,  throat  and  most  of  neck, 
grayish  and  faint  yellowish-white,  spotted  or  banded  with  black ;  fore  neck  and 
breast  light  brownish-red,  with  a  faint  grayish-gloss  (a  young  male  before  me  has 
brownish -red  of  breast  spotted  with  black)  ;  sides  of  body  somewhat  brighter  red- 
dish-brown, with  fine  blackish  streaks  ;  lower  part  of  breast  and  belly  white ;  upper 
back  and  scapulars  reddish-brown,  waved  with  dusky ;  rump  lighter  than  lower 
back  and  finely  waved  or  streaked  with  dusky  and  whitish  ;  crissum  glossy  black  ; 
large  white  space  on  upper  surface  of  wing ;  speculum  glossy-green  in  a  large 
velvety-black  area.  The  female  is  easily  recognized  by  the  wing  markings  and  the 
reddish-brown  is  duller  than  in  male.  Length  about  21  inches  ;  extent  about  34 
inches. 

Habitat. — North  America,  from  the  Arctic  ocean  south  to  Guatemala  and  Cuba. 

Regular  but  rather  rare  spring  and  fall  migrant ;  not  known  to  occur 
in  Pennsylvania  as  a  summer  resident.  Although  not  common  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Erie,  good-sized  flocks  are  occasionally  seen,  particu. 
larly  in  the  fall,  about  Erie  bay,  where  this  species  appears  to  be  found, 
irregularly,  in  greater  numbers  than  in  other  parts  of  the  state.  I  have 
examined  the  food  materials  of  three  Baldpates  taken  in  Pennsylvania ; 
two  had  fed  almost  entirely  on  insects,  chiefly  beetles  and  crickets ;  the 
other  one  had  in  its  stomach  a  green-colored  vegetable  substance,  and 
small  brown  and  yellowish  seeds. 

Anas  carolinensis  GMELIN. 

Green-winged  Teal. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate.  60). 

Bill  quite  narrow  and  shorter  than  head.  One  of  our  smallest  species  measures 
about  14  inches  in  length  by  about  24  inches  in  extent. 

Adult  Male. — Bill  (dried  skin)  blackish ;  tarsi  brownish-yellow ;  iris  brown  ; 
head  and  greater  part  of  neck  chestnut ;  chin  and  forehead  blackish  ;  a  broad,  green 
patch  extends  backward  from  region  of  eyes ;  under  part  white  or  wrhitish ;  feathers 
of  upper  breast  light  reddish-brown  edged  with  grayish  ;  breast  with  numerous 
black  spots  ;  white  crescent  in  front  of  wing;  lower  part  of  neck,  scapulars,  side  of 
breast,  and  body,  finally  waved  with  grayish-white  and  black  ;  crissum  black  in 


38  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


middle,  and  brownish-yellow  on  each  side ;  speculum  bright  green,  bordered  on 
front  with  dark  reddish-brown  of  the  greater  coverts  and  posteriorly  by  whitish  tips 
of  secondaries. 

Female.— Can  easily  be  recognized  by  the  wing,  which  is  like  that  of  male  but 
duller. 

Habitat.— North  America,  breeding  chiefly  north  of  the  United  States,  and  mi- 
grating south  to  Honduras  and  Cuba. 

Common  spring  and  fall  migrant  and  casual  winter  visitor.  The 
Green-winged  Teal  although  frequently  met  with  on  many  of  our  small 
creeks  and  ponds  is  generally  much  more  plentiful  about  the  principal 
rivers.  Late  in  August  and  in  September  these  birds  are  quite  com- 
mon at  Erie  bay  where  many  of  them  are  shot  for  the  market.  Individ- 
uals of  this  species  are  occasionally  captured  during  the  early  summer 
months  at  Erie  bay.  Prof.  August  Kock,  of  Williamsport,  says  the 
Green-winged  Teal  occurs  as  a  rare  breeder  in  Lycoming  county,  Pa. 
The  nest  is  placed  on  the  ground ;  the  eggs  are  a  light  greenish-buff 
color  and  measure  about  If  inches  long  by  about  1 J  inches  broad.  The 
food  of  these  ducks  consist  principally  of  seeds  of  different  grasses  and 
weeds ;  they  also  eat  different  insects,  and  in  a  few  instances  I  have 
found  fragments  of  chestnuts  and  wild  grapes  in  their  stomachs. 


Anas  discors  LINN. 

Blue-winged  Teal. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Bill  broader  than  in  Green-winged  Teal  and  about  as  long  as  head. 

Adult  Male. — Bill  black  ;  feet  and  legs  yellowish;  iris  brown;  top  of  head,  chin, 
and  feathers  bordering  white  spaces  in  front  of  eyes  blackish  ;  rest  of  head  and  upper 
part  of  neck  dull  lead  color ;  feathers  of  lower  part  of  neck  and  foreback  spotted 
with  black  and  margined  with  white  and  grayish-brown  ;  lower  part  of  back  and 
rump  dull  brown ;  crissum  black  ;  sides  of  tail  coverts,  more  or  less  glossed  with 
green,  white  patch  on  each  rump ;  wing  coverts  and  outer  webs  of  few  scapulars 
sky-blue  ;  greater  coverts  tipped  with  white  ;  speculum  bright  green  with  narrow 
white  tip  behind. 

Female.—  Chin  and  throat  yellowish-white  and  unspotted  ;  head  and  neck  dark 
colored  with  grayish  and  yellow  ;  upper  parts  generally  dark-brown,  feathers  edged 
with  grayish  ;  wings  with  conspicuous  sky-blue  patches  ;  lower  parts  grayish-white 
with  obscure  dusky  spots.  Length  about  16  inches  ;  extent  about  30  inches. 

Habitat.—  North  America  in  general,  but  chiefly  the  eastern  province  ;  north  to 
Alaska  and  south  to  the  West  Indies  and  northern  South  America,  breeds  from  the 
northern  United  States  northward. 

This  species,  a  regular  and  somewhat  common  migrant  in  the  spring 
and  fall,  is  more  numerous  in  this  state  in  September,  than  at  other 
times  during  their  residence  with  us.  The  Blue-winged  Teal  inhabits 
mainly  muddy  ponds,  pools  and  sloughs,  where  it  collects  different 
seeds  and  other  vegetable  materials,  which  constitute  its  chief  bill  of 
fare. 


o 

a 


s 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  39 


GENUS  SPATULA  BOIE 
Spatula  clypeata  (LiNN.)-  ' 

Shoveller;  Spoonbill. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Bill  much  longer  than  head,  spoon-shaped,  being  twice  as  wide  toward  the  end  as 
at  base.  In  any  plumage  may  be  distinguished  from  other  species  by  its  odd 
spoon-like  bill. 

Male.— 'Bill  (dried  skin)  black  ;  tarsi  brownish-yellow  ;  iris  reddish-yellow  ;  head 
and  upper  neck  all  round  dark  glossy  green  ;  top  of  head  in  specimen  before  me  is 
glossy  black  with  purplish  reflection  ;  lower  part  of  neck  and  fore  breast  and  patches 
at  base  of  tail  on  each  side,  also  most  of  lining  of  wings  white ;  wing  coverts  and 
some  of  the  scapulars  on  outer  webs  blue  ;  scapulars  also  conspicuously  striped  with 
black  and  white,  fore  back  brownish-black  mixed  with  white,  and  many  of  feathers 
edged  with  grayish  ;  lower  part  of  back  black. 

"Female. — With  wing  similar,  but  blue  of  wing  and  coverts  less  distinct;  head  and 
neck  brownish-yellow  spotted  with  dusky ;  the  belly  with  a  decided  chestnut 
tinge."  Length  about  21  inches ;  extent  about  32  inches. 

Habitat.—  Northern  hemisphere.  In  North  America,  breeding  from  Alaska  to 
Texas ;  not  abundant  on  Atlantic  coast. 

The  Shoveller  is  a  rare  and  rather  irregular  spring-  and  fall  migrant 
in  all  sections  of  the  state.  When  found  here  this  species  is  usually 
seen  singly,  or  in  pairs,  and  occasionally,  though  very  seldom,  small 
flocks  are  found.  The  Shoveller  does  not  breed  in  Pennsylvania. 


GENUS  DAFILA  STEPHENS. 

Daftla  acuta  (LINN.). 

% 

Pintail;  Sprig-tail. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Bill  a  little  longer  than  head  and  rather  narrow ;  neck  long ;  tail  of  male  long  and 
pointed. 

Male  in  /Spring.— Bill  black-bluish  on  sides;  tarsi  brownish  lead  color  with 
greenish  tinge ;  webs  black  ;  head,  and  about  half  of  neck  above  dark -brown,  glossed 
with  green  ;  black  stripe  on  back  of  neck,  on  either  side  of  which  is  a  long  white 
stripe,  connecting  with  white  of  lower  half  of  neck  and  breast  and  abdomen  ;  back 
and  sides  grayish  with  fine  transverse  lines'  of  black  and  white ;  lesser  wing  coverts 
gray  ;  speculum  greenish-purple,  with  a  buff  border  in  front  and  a  black  and  white 
border  posteriorily ;  crissum  and  long  central  tail  feathers  black,  other  tail  feathers 
light-gray;  scapulars  and  long  tertiaries  striped  longitudinally  with  black  and 
silver-gray.  Length  (depends  on  development  of  tail,  which  is  usually  5  or  6  inches 
long)  about  28  inches  ;  extent  about  35  inches. 

"  Female.— With  only  a  trace  of  the  markings  of  the  wing  ;  the  green  of  speculum 
brownish  with  few  green  spots;  feathers  of  back  are  brown  with  a  broad  U  or 
V-shaped  brownish-yellow  bar  on  each  feather  anteriorily ;  sometimes  these  bars  in 
the  shape  of  broad  transverse  lines."— Baird's  B.  of  N.  A. 

Habitat. — Northern  hemisphere.  In  North  America  breeds  from  the  northern 
parts  of  the  United  States  northward,  and  migrates  south  to  Panama  and  Cuba. 

The  Pintail  Duck  is  a  regular  spring  and  fall  migrant,  but  rare  winter 


40  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

visitor  iii  Pennsylvania.  This  species  is  one  of  the  first  to  arrive  in 
spring-,  being-  seen  here  often  early  in  March  frequenting-  principally  the 
rivers  and  other  larger  streams. 

GENUS  AIX  BOIE. 
Aix  sponsa  (LiNN.). 

Wood  Duck  ;  Summer  Duck  ;  Acorn  Duck. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  4). 

Bill  high  at  base  and  shorter  than  head,  the  latter  crested. 

Male  Adult.—  Head  with  conspicuous  green  and  purple  crest ;  sides  of  head  irides- 
cent purple,  streak  of  white  from  base  of  bill  to  occiput,  streak  back  of  eye  contin- 
uous with  that  of  throat  pure  white  ;  sides  and  front  of  lower  neck  and  fore  part  of 
breast  bright-chestnut  with  fine  white  spots ;  lower  parts  generally  white ;  upper 
surface  of  wings  beautifully  marked  with  iridescent  metallic  hues.  Female  with 
grayish  head  and  lengthened  feathers  behind  ;  throat  white  ;  fore  neck,  nppel*  breast 
and  sides  brownish-yellow,  and  streaked  with  grayish  ;  upper  parts  generally  dark- 
brown  glossed  with  purple  chiefly.  Length  about  19  inches  ;  extent  about  28  inches. 

Habitat. — Temperate  North  America,  breeding  throughout  its  range. 

The  Wood  Duck  is  a  resident,  and  breeds  in  various  sections  of  this 
commonwealth.  During  the  breeding  season  it  generally  is  found  about 
streams  and  ponds  in  heavily  wooded  and  thinly  populated  districts. 
In  Pennsylvania  this  species  is  rare  in  winter  and  most  plentiful  in 
autumn.  The  Wood  Duck  is  an  abundant  winter  resident  in  Florida, 
where  it  also  breeds.  I  have  seen  downy  young  of  this  bird  which  were 
captured  late  in  March,  1885,  in  Orang-e  county,  Florida.  "  The  Wood 
Duck  breeds  in  the  Middle  states  about  the  beginning  of  April,  in  Mas- 
sachusetts a  month  later,  and  in  Nova  Scotia,  or  on  our  northern  lakes, 
seldom  before  the  first  days  of  June.  In  Louisiana  and  Kentucky, 
where  I  have  had  better  opportunities  of  studying  their  habits  in  this 
respect,  they  generally  pair  about  the  first  of  March,  sometimes  a  fort- 
night earlier.  I  never  knew  one  of  these  birds  to  form  a  nest  on  the 
ground  or  on  the  branches  of  a  tree.  They  appear  at  all  times  to  pre- 
fer the  hollow,  broken  portion  of  some  large  branch,  the  hole  of  our 
large  Woodpecker,  or  the  deserted  retreat  of  the  fox  squirrel ;  and  I 
have  frequently  been  surprised  to  see  them  go  in  and  out  of  a  hole  of 
any  one  of  these,  when  their  bodies,  while  on  the  wing-,  seemed  to  be 
nearly  half  as  large  again  as  the  aperture  within  which  they  had  de- 
posited their  eggs.  Once  only  I  found  a  nest  (with  ten  eggs)  in  the 
fissure  of  a  rock,  on  the  Kentucky  river,  a  few  miles  below  Frankfort. 
Generally,  however,  the  holes  to  which  they  betake  themselves  are  either 
over  deep  swamps,  above  cane-brakes,  or  on  broken  branches  of  high 
sycamores,  seldom  more  than  forty  or  fifty  feet  from  the  water.  They 
are  much  attached  to  their  breeding  places,  and  for  three  successive 
years  I  found  a  pair  near  Henderson,  in  Kentucky,  with  the  eggs,  in  the 
beginning  of  April,  in  the  abandoned  nest  of  the  Ivory-billed  Wood- 


t 


§ 

9    i 


f 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


41 


pecker.  The  eggs,  which  are  from  six  to  fifteen,  according  to  the  age  of 
the  bird,  are  placed  on  dry  plants,  feathers,  and  a  scanty  portion  of 
down,  which  I  believe  is  mostly  plucked  from  the  breast  of  the  female. 
They  are  perfectly  smooth,  nearly  elliptical,  of  a  light  color,  between 
buff  and  pale-green,  two  inches  in  length  by  one  and  a  half  in  diameter. 
"No  sooner  has  the  female  completed  her  set  of  eggs  than  she  is  aban- 
doned by  her  mate,  who  now  joins  others,  which  form  themselves  into 
considerable  flocks,  and  thus  remain  apart  till  the  young  are  able  to  fly, 
when  old  and  young  oi  both  sexes  come  together,  and  so  remain  until 
the  commencement  of  the  next  breeding  season. 

If  the  nest  is  placed  immediately  over  the  water  the  young,  the  mo- 
ment they  are  hatched,  scramble  to  the  mouth  of  the  hole,  launch  into 
the  air  with  their  little  wings  and  feet  spread  out,  and  drop  into  their 
favorite  element ;  but  whenever  their  birth-place  is  some  distance  from 
it,  the  mother  carries  them  to  it,  one  by  one,  in  her  bill,  holding  them 
so  as  not  to  injure  their  yet  tender  frame.  On  several  occasions,  how- 
ever, when  the  hole  was  thirty,  forty,  or  more  yards  from  a  bayou  or 
other  piece  of  water,  I  observed  that  the  mother  suffered  the  young  to 
fall  on  the  grasses  and  dried  leaves  beneath  the  tree,  and  afterwards  led 
them  directly  to  the  nearest  edge  of  the  next  pool  or  creek." — Audubon. 

In  some  twenty  odd  examinations  that  I  have  made  of  these  birds, 
which  were  killed  in  Florida  in  March  and  April,  1885,  I  found  only 
vegetable  substances,  consisting  chiefly  of  various  small  seeds,  had  been 
fed  upon. 

The  food  materials  of  eight  Wood  Ducks,  taken  in  the  fall  and  early 
winter  months,  in  or  near  Pennsylvania,  are  given  in  the  following  table : 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD  MATERIALS. 

I 

September  —   1878,  .  . 

Chester  county,  Pa.  , 

Acorns 

2 

September—   1878,  .  .   . 

Chester  county.  Pa.  , 

Acorns. 

;{ 

September—   1878.  .  .   . 

Chester  county,  Pa  

Acorns  and  small  seeds. 

4 

September—    1878,  .  . 

Chester  county.  Pa  . 

Small  seeds 

5 

t 

8 

October        4    1880.  .  .   . 
October        4    1880,  .  .   . 
November  20    1888,  .  .   . 
November    3    1882,  .  .   . 

Philadelphia  Market,  Pa.,     . 
Philadelphia  Market.  Pa.  , 
Philadelphia  Market.  Pa..     . 
Philadelphia  Market,  Pa..     . 

Acorns. 
Small  seeds  and  other  vegetable  matter. 
Small  seeds. 
Small  seeds. 

GENUS  AYTHYA  BOIE. 
Aythya  americana  (Eyt). 

Red-head. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  62). 

Bill  broad  and  flattened,  little  shorter  than  head. 

Adult  Male.—  Bill  dull  blue,  the  end  black  ;  tarsi  grayish-blue;  iris  reddish-yellow; 
head  and  half  or  more  of  neck  all  round  rich  glossy-reddish  chestnut ;  rest  of  neck, 
fore  part  of  body  above  and  below,  lower  part  of  back,  upper  and  lower  tail  coverts 
blackish ;  back,  scapulars  and  sides  finely  waved  with  black  and  white  lines  ;  belly 
white,  darker  toward  the  vent ;  wing  coverts  ashy-gray  with  minute  white  spots ; 
speculum  light  bluish-gray,  edged  internally  with  black. 


42  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


Female.— Iris  plain  yellow  ;  head  and  neck  grayish-brown  ;  chin  and  upper  part 
of  throat  very  light ;  upper  parts  brownish  ;  wings  about  same  as  in  male.  Length 
about  22  inches  ;  extent  about  32  inches. 

Habitat.—  North  America;  breeding  from  California  and  Maine  northward. 

Spring  and  fall  migrant,  more  numerous  about  Erie  bay  and  the 
Susquehanna  river  than  in  other  sections  of  the  state ;  occasional  winter 
visitant.  Some  few  years  ago  while  hunting  along  the  Brandywine 
creek,  near  West  Chester,  Pa.,  I  suddenly  came  upon  a  flock  of  thirteen 
Red-heads  busily  engaged  in  feeding.  As  they  arose  from  the  water  I 
succeeded  in  killing  two  of  them.  Assisted  by  my  honored  friend, 
Benjamin  M.  Everhart,  I  made  an  examination  of  the  stomachs  of  these 
two  birds  and  found  that  both  fed  exclusively  on  "  wild  celery,"  *  a 
somewhat  common,  though  not  abundant  aquatic  plant  in  this  locality. 
The  food  of  this  species  varies  according  to  locality  and  circumstances. 
Wilson  says  the  Bed-head  is  a  common  associate  of  the  Canvas-back, 
frequenting  the  same  places  and  feeding  on  the  stems  of  the  wild  celery. 
Audubon,  writing  of  the  Bed-heads,  states:  "I  have  found  their  stom- 
achs crammed  with  young  tadpoles  and  small  water-lizards,  as  well  as 
blades  of  the  grasses  growing  around  the  bank.  Nay,  on  several  occa- 
sions, I  have  found  pretty  large  acorns  and  beech-nuts  in  their  throats, 
as  well  as  snails,  entire  or  broken,  and  fragments  of  the  shells  of  various 
small  unios,  together  with  much  gravel." 

I  have  examined  the  stomach  contents  of  twenty-one  Bed-heads,  both 
sexes,  which  have  been  killed  during  the  shooting  season  at  Havre-de- 
Grace,  Maryland,  and  found  only  gravel  and  vegetable  matter,  the  latter 
consisting  mainly  of  the  so-called  "  wild  celery  "  ( Vallisneria  spiralis). 


Aythya  vallisneria  (WiLS.)- 

Canvas-back. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Bill  high  at  base,  larger  than  head,  rather  narrow  and  somewhat  tapering. 
Male.— Bill  blackish  ;  legs  dark-gray  ;  iris  red  ;  head  and  upper  part  of  neck  dark 
reddish-brown  ;  feathers  on  top  of  head  and  about  bill  blackish  ;  otherwise  quite 


*  ' '  This  plant,  like  many  others,  has  a  variety  of  local  names.  Some  of  the  most  common  which  I 
now  call  to  mind  are  tape  grass,  from  the  tape-like  appearance  of  the  long  leaves  ;  channel-weed,  as  it 
frequently  grows  in  channels  where  the  water  flows,  not  swiftly;  eel-grass,  this  name  arises,  it  is  said 
by  Dr.  Darlington  (Flora  Cestrica),  '  from  the  habit  which  eels  have  of  hiding  under  the  leaves  which 
are  usually  procumbently  floating  under  the  water's  surface.'  The  appellation  'wild  celery' — a  local 
term  applied,  I  think,  chiefly  by  gunners  and  watermen  at  Havre-de-Grace  and  vicinity— is,  I  consider, 
like  many  vulgar  synonyms,  a  misnomer,  as  this  plant  is  in  no  particular  related  to  celery,  which  by 
botanists  is  known  as  Apium,  '  Wild  celery, '  or  as  it  Is  more  generally  known  in  this  vicinity  (Chester 
county,  Pa. ),  as  'eel-grass. '  is  found  in  the  Brandywine  creek  growing  in  slow  running  water. 

The  scientific  name  of  the  plant  is  Vallisneria  spiralis  (Linn. ),  the  generic  name  being  given  in  honor 
of  Antonio  Vallisneri,  an  Italian  botanist ;  the  specific  spiralis  is  applied  in  consequence  of  the  f  ac' 
that  the  fertile  stalk  in  its  development  assumes  a  spiral  form.  It  is  a  remarkable  dioecious,  herbaceous 
plant  on  account  of  its  mode  of  fertilization.  It  grows  entirely  under  water,  has  long,  radical  grass- 
like  leaves,  from  one  to  three  feet  long  and  from  one-fourth  to  three-fourths  inch  wide  The  female 
flowers  float  on  the  surface  at  the  end  of  long  thread-like  spiral  scapes,  which  curiously  contract  and 
lengthen  with  the  rise  and  fall  of  the  water.  The  male  flowers  have  very  short  stems  or  scapes,  from 
which  the  flowers  break  off  and  rise  to  the  surface,  to  fertilize  with  their  pollen  the  attached  floating 
female  flowers. "— B.  M.  Everhart's  Botanical  Publications,  November,  1886. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  43 


similar  to  preceding  species.  Female  has  dark  reddish-brown  eyes  ;  bill  black,  and 
with  the  exception  of  bill  is  very  similar  to  female  Red-head.  Length  about  23 
inches  ;  extent  about  33  inches. 

Habitat.— Nearly  all  of  North  America,  breeding  from  the  northwestern  states 
northward  to  Alaska, 

This  well-known  and  highly-esteemed  game  bird  is  found  as  a 
tolerably  frequent  spring  and  fall  migrant,  and  occasionally  as  a  winter 
visitor  on  the  Susquehanna  river,  southward  from  Harrisburg.  In  other 
sections  of  our  state  it  appears  to  occur  only  as  a  rare  or  casual  visitor. 
Audubon,  writing  of  the  food  of  the  Canvas-back,  says:  "It  varies  ac- 
cording to  the  season  and  locality.  The  plant  Vallisneria,  on  which  it 
is  said  to  feed  when  on  the  headwaters  of  the  Chespeake,  is  not  found 
equally  abundant  in  other  parts,  and  even  there  is  at  times  so  reduced 
in  quantity  that  this  duck,  and  several  other  species  which  are  equally 
fond  of  it,  are  obliged  to  have  recourse  to  fishes,  tadpoles,  water-lizards, 
leeches,  snails  and  mollusca,  as  well  as  such  seeds  as  they  can  meet  with, 
all  of  which  have  been  in  greater  or  less  quantity  found  in  their 
stomachs." 

My  examinations  of  four  of  these  ducks,  which  were  killed  at  Havre- 
de-Grace,  showed  only  vegetable  substances,  which  I  judged  to  be  re- 
mains of  Vallisneria. 

Wilson  asserts  that  the  Canvas-backs  when  feeding  on  the  Vallisneria 
eat  only  the  roots,  and,  on  the  other  hand,  the  Red-heads  feed  on  the 
stems  of  this  plant. 


Aythya  marila  nearctica  STEJN. 

American  Scaup  Duck  ;  Big-Black-head  ;  Blue-bill. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Bill  blue,  rather  broad  and  heavy,  and  about  as  long  as  head ;  tarsi  dark  lead 
color  ;  iris  yellow  ;  head,  neck  fore  part  of  breast  black  ;  sides  of  head  glossed  with 
green  ;  lower  part  of  back,  including  rump,  tail  and  coverts  black  and  dark- 
brownish  (but  black  predominates)  ;  speculum,  greater  portion  of  under  plumage, 
white  ;  inter-scapulars,  scapulars  and  sides  grayish  or  white,  with  five  irregular 
black  and  transverse  lines ;  wing  coverts  brownish. 

Female. — Conspicuous  patch  of  white  about  base  of  maxilla ;  head,  neck,  sides 
an  upper  parts  generally  brown  and  blackish  ;  lower  part  of  breast  and  belly,  except 
lower  part  which  is  brownish-gray,  white.  Length  about  20  inches ;  extent  about  33. 

Habitat. — North  America,  breeding  far  north. 

The  Big  Black-head  or  Blue-bill,  as  this  species  is  usually  known  to 
sportsmen,  is  a  moderately  abundant  spring  and  fall  migrant,  and  gen- 
erally a  few  remain  with  us  in  winter.  This  and  the  Little  Black-head, 
and  occasionally  other  species,  are  often  found  together  in  flocks.  This 
duck  feeds  principally  on  different  kinds  of  aquatic  animal  life  (other 
than  fish)  and  it  also,  sometimes,  eats  seeds  and  the  tender  parts  of 
several  kinds  of  plants  which  grow  in  our  rivers. 


44  BIRDS  OF  PENNS YL  VANIA. 


Aythya  affinis  (EYT.). 

Lesser-Scaup  Duck  ;   Little  Black-head. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  62). 

Very  similar  to  the  previously  described  species,  measuring  about  16  inches  in 
length  and  about  28  inches  in  extent ;  head  glossed  with  purplish-violet. 

Habitat.—  North  America  in  general,  breeding  chiefly  north  of  the  United  States, 
migrating  south  to  Guatemala  and  the  West  Indies. 

The  Little  Black-head  or  Little  Blue-bill,  a  common  spring-  and  fall 
migrant,  is  found  generally  throughout  the  state.  At  Erie  bay  it  is  one 
of  the  most  common  ducks,  being  found  there  regularly,  when  migrat- 
ing, in  large  flocks.  During  mild  winters  small,  scattered  flocks  of  this 
species  are  frequently  met  with  in  this  region.  Dr.  Walter  Van  Fleet, 
of  Renovo,  Pa.,  informs  me  that  about  four  years  ago  he  saw  a  pair  of 
these  ducks  for  two  consecutive  seasons,  during  the  summer  months, 
inhabiting  an  extensive  marshy  meadow  in  Northumberland  county,  Pa., 
where  he  believes  they  bred.  In  the  winter  of  1885  I  found  the  Little- 
Blue-bill  in  immense  flocks  at  Lake  George,  Florida,  where  it  is  known 
as  the  Raft  Duck. 


Aythya  collaris  (DONOV.). 

Ring-necked  Duck. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Very  similar  to  Black-head ;  male  with  narrow  brownish  ring  about  middle  of 
neck  ;  speculum  gray  ;  back  blackish  ;  head  and  neck  above  ring  black,  glossed  with 
green  and  purplish  violet.  Female  has  brownish  head  and  neck,  chin,  sides  of  head 
and  ring  about  eye  whitish.  Bill  in  male  is  black,  lighter  at  base  and  at  end,  and  in 
female  is  brownish-black  ;  tarsi,  bluish-gray  ;  eyes  yellow.  Length  about  18  inches  ; 
extent  about  28  inches. 

Habitat. — North  America,  breeding  far  north  and  migrating  south  to  Guatemala 
and  the  West  Indies. 

The  Ring-necked  Duck  is  a  regular  and  reasonably  common  spring 
and  fall  migrant  in  this  state.  At  Erie  bay  it  is  often  found  in  company 
with  other  species,  particularly  the  Little  Black-head.  The  Ring-necked 
Duck  feeds  largely  on  seeds  of  different  aquatic  plants. 


GENUS  GLAUCIONETTA  STEJNEGER. 
Glaucionetta  clangula  americana  (BONAP.). 

American  Golden-eye ;  Whistler. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  59). 

Bill  considerably  shorter  than  head,  and  very  high  at  base  ;  frontal  feathers  ex- 
tend beyond  those  on  sides  ;  tail  of  sixteen  feathers  and  rather  pointed. 

Male.— Head  and  upper  part  of  the  short  neck  glossy-green,  and  a  rounded  patch 
of  white  along  base  of  bill  in  front  of  eye  (in  a  young  male  before  me  the  head  is 


tl 
"tl 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYL  VANIA.  45 

blackish,  with  slight  greenish  gloss  on  sides  and  the  white  loral  patches  are  mottled 
with  dusky)  ;  bill  (dried  skin)  black  ;  legs  yellowish  ;  iris  orange-yellow ;  lower 
neck  under  plumage  generally,  and  middle  and  greater  wing  coverts,  sides,  inner 
secondaries,  some  of  the  scapular  and  tertial  feathers  white  ;  back,  primaries  inner 
scapulars  and  tertial s  black.  Female  has  snuff-brown  head,  and  no  white  loral 
spots — usually  less  white  on  wings.  Length  about  20  inches ;  extent  about  31 
inches. 

Habitat.— North  America,  breeding  from  Maine  and  the  British  Provinces  north- 
ward ;  in  winter  south  to  Cuba. 

This  handsome  bird,  called,  usually  by  sportsmen,  Whistler,  from  the 
fact  that  when  flying-  its  wings  make  a  loud  whistling  sound,  is  a  regu- 
lar and  rather  common  spring  and  fall  migrant,  and  in  winter  it  is  often 
seen  about  our  large  rivers  and  on  Lake  Erie.  The  Golden-eye,  gener- 
ally shy  and  very  difficult  to  approach,  is  an  expert  diver,  and  a  par- 
ticularly rapid  flyer.  Feeding  as  it  does,  principally,  on  fish,  cray-fish, 
bivalves,  etc.,  its  flesh  is  usually  fishy  and  very  unpalatable. 


GENUS  CHARITONETTA  STEJNEGER. 
Charitonetta  albeola  (LiNN.). 

Buflle-head. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  60). 

Bill  much  shorter  than  head.  Feathers  of  hind  head  and  upper  part  of  short  neck 
long  and  puffy  (especially  in  male). 

Male.—  Broad  white  patch  on  side  of  head  back  of  eyes  meeting  its  fellow  behind ; 
rest  of  head  and  upper  neck  dark,  with  beautiful  iridescent  purple,  green  and 
violet  hues  ;  ring  around  lower  part  of  neck,  sides  and  under  plumage  (lower  part 
of  abdomen  is  grayish)  wing  coverts,  except  the  lesser  and  many  of  the  second- 
aries, white,  and  back  black  ;  upper  tail  coverts  grayish-white ;  upper  surface  of 
primaries  glossy-black  ;  lining  of  wings  brownish  and  white  ;  bill  (dried  skin)  dull 
blue,  legs  brownish-yellow  ;  eyes  brown.  Length  about  15  inches ;  extent  about  24 
inches.  Female  is  smaller  than  male  and  feathers  of  sides  and  back  of  head  shorter, 
and  has  head,  neck  and  upper  parts  generally  dark  grayish-brown,  with  slight  trace 
of  white  patches  on  sides  of  head,  back  of,  but  not  reaching  to  eyes. 

Habitat. — North  America  ;  south  in  winter  to  Cuba  and  Mexico.  Breeds  from 
Maine  northward  ;  through  the  fur  countries  and  Alaska. 

This  beautiful  little  duck,  commonly  called  Butter-ball,  is  frequently 
met  with  during  migrations  about  our  rivers  and  mill-ponds.  The 
species  is,  however,  much  more  common  in  autumn  than  during  the 
winter  and  spring.  The  Buflle-head,  like  the  Grebe  and  Loon,  will  dive 
at  the  flash  of  a  gun  and  swim,  it  is  said,  under  the  water  with  only  its 
bill  above  the  surface.  Audubon  says :  "  Their  food  is  much  varied, 
according  to  situation.  On  the  sea-coast,  or  in  estauries,  they  dive  after 
shrimps,  small  fry  and  bivalve  shells,  and  in  fresh  water  they  feed  on 
small  cray-fish,  leeches  and  snails,  and  even  grasses."  In  the  stomachs 
of  five  of  these  ducks,  which  I  have  examined,  were  found  small  shells 
and  coleopterous  insects. 


46  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


GENUS  CL.ANGULA  LEACH. 
Clang-iila  hyemalis  (LINN.). 

Old-squaw  ;  Long-tailed  Duck. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  63). 

Bill  smaller  and  much  shorter  than  head  ;  tail  of  14  pointed  feathers. 

Male  in  winter. — Bill  black,  yellowish  towards  end ;  iris  red ;  legs  light  lead 
color ;  head,  neck  and  fore  part  of  back  white  or  whitish  ;  lores  and  cheeks  gray, 
and  a  blackish  oblong  space  below  ears  on  sides  of  neck ;  lower  part  of  back,  upper 
tail  coverts,  breast,  upper  part  of  belly  and  four  long  middle  tail  feathers,  black ; 
posterior  part  of  belly  white  ;  wings  brownish. 

Female. — Head,  neck  and  lower  parts  mainly  white;  top  of  head,  sides  of  same 
and  chin  brownish-black  ;  throat  streaked  with  dusky  ;  upper  parts  blackish-brown, 
darker  on  lower  back.  Length  of  male  (depends  on  development  of  four  central 
tail  feathers)  about  23  inches.  Length  of  female  about  18  inches  ;  extent  about  28 
inches. 

Habitat. — Northern  hemisphere  ;  in  North  America  south  to  the  Potomac  and  the 
Ohio ;  breeds  far  northward. 

Kegular  spring-  and  fall  migrant  on  our  principal  rivers,  and  at  Erie 
bay,  but  seldom  seen  about  the  smaller  streams  and  ponds  in  the  state. 
This  species,  in  winter,  is  frequently  found  on  the  Susquehanna  from 
Harrisburg  southward.  Prof.  August  Kock  says  the  Old-squaw  is  a 
very  plentiful  visitor  in  April  on  the  Susquehanna  river  in  Lycoming 
county.  The  flesh  of  the  Long-tailed  Duck  is  quite  tough,  dark-colored 
and  fishy.  The  stomachs  of  five  of  these  ducks,  shot  last  winter  near 
Harrisburg,  contained  fish,  mussels,  beetles  and  sand. 


GENUS  SOMATERIA  LEACH. 
Somateria  spectabilis  (LiNN.). 

King  Eider. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Bill  high  at  base,  shorter  than  head  ;  frontal  feathers  and  those  of  chin  extend  far 
forward. 

Male  in  winter. — Bill  (dried  skin)  brownish-yellow,  darker  toward  end  ;  legs 
brownish  ;  eyes  dark-brown  ;  head  reddish-brown,  darkest  on  top,  brightest  on  sides, 
and  faintly  spotted  with  dusky  ;  throat  and  most  of  neck  blackish  ;  jugulurn  dirty 
yellowish-white  with  dusky  spots ;  sides  mostly  dull  black  ;  breast  and  under  parts 
generally  grayish-brown ;  upper  parts  dark  brownish ;  feathers  of  fore-back, 
scapulars,  wing  coverts  and  about  root  of  tail,  edged  with  rusty  and  gray.  The 
female  in  winter  is  very  similar  to  male,  as  described  above,  except  she  has  less 
black,  especially  on  neck  which  is  dark  reddish-brown,  very  much  same  as  the  sides 
of  head  of  male. 

Habitat. — Northern  parts  of  northern  hemisphere  ;  breeding  in  the  Arctic  regions; 
in  N  orth  America  south  casually  in  winter  to  New  Jersey.and  the  Great  Lakes. 

Accidental  winter  visitor  at  Erie  bay,  where,  on  the  30th  of  November, 
1889,  a  flock  of  probably  eighteen  or  twenty  individuals  made  their  ap- 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  47 


pearancc  a  few  hours  after  a  severe  storm,  which  lasted  for  two  days, 
had  visited  the  region  of  the  Great  Lakes.  About  fourteen  of  these 
ducks,  which  the  hunters  called  "  boobies  " — a  name  that  is  also  given 
by  them  to  the  surf  ducks  which  freqently  visit  the  bay — were  shot  by 
three  or  four  gunners,  who  had  no  trouble  in  approaching  within  a  few 
yards  of  the  stupid  ducks  which  were  found  swimming  close  to  the 
dock  where  a  large  number  of  men  were  engaged  in  unloading  iron  ore 
from  vessels. 

Through  the  kindness  of  Mr.  James  Thompson,  of  Erie,  Mr.  Geo.  B. 
Bennett  and  I  secured,  from  gunners,  seven  of  these  birds,  six  immature 
males  (all  of  which  varied  greatly  in  plumage)  and  one  female.  Two 
hunters,  who  unfortunately  before  they  knew  we  were  anxious  to  pre- 
serve the  ducks  for  our  collections,  had  cooked  three  or  four  which  they 
had  captured,  said  the  dark-colored  flesh  was  tough,  stringy  and  so  rank 
and  unsavory  that  they  could  not  eat  it.  The  oldest  hunters  assured  us 
they  had  never  before  seen  ducks  of  this  kind  in  that  locality. 

NOTE. — A  duck  supposed  to  be  the  American  Eider  (Somateria 
dresseri)  was  captured  in  the  winter  of  1886,  near  Chadd's  Ford,  Dela- 
ware county,  but  as  the  bird  was  not  positively  identified,  I  have  not 
included  it  among  the  birds  of  our  state. 

GENUS  OIDEMIA  FLEMING. 
Oidemia  americana  Sw.  &  RICH. 

American  Scoter  ;  Booby  ;  Sea  Coot. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Bill  high  at  base  and  swollen. 

Adult  Male.  —Bill  (dried  skin)  base  of  upper  mandible  reddish-yellow,  rest 
blackish  ;  iris  brown  ;  tarsi  blackish  ;  entire  plumage  black,  the  neck  and  back  with 
slight  gloss.  Female  sooty-brown  ;  throat  and  sides  of  head  whitish,  lower  plumage 
is  lighter  than  that  of  upper  parts  ;  belly  grayish-white  ;  bill  blackish  and  smaller 
than  that  of  male.  A  male  measures  19|  inches  long  and  35  inches  from  tip  to  tip ; 
female  smaller. 

Habitat.— Coasts  and  larger  lakes  of  northern  North  America;  breeds  in  Labrador 
and  the  northern  interior;  south  in  winter  to  New  Jersey,  the  Great  Lakes  and 
California. 

Rather  rare  migrant  in  spring  and  autumn,  and  occasional  winter 
visitor  on  Susquehanna  and  Delaware  rivers.  At  Erie  bay  this  species 
is  said  to  be  of  very  rare  occurrence. 

Oidemia  deglandi  BONAP. 

White-winged  Scoter ;  Booby. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Male.— Bill  much  swollen  and  high  at  base ;  feathers  extend  on  sides  near  nos- 
trils  ;  bill  quite  broad,  black  at  base  and  on  edges  ;  rest  red  ;  eyes  yellow  ;  legs  red- 


48  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


dish-yellow.  General  plumage  black,  a  white  streak  about  one  inch  long  runs  un- 
der and  behind  eye  ;  secondaries  and  tips  of  greater  coverts  form  a  white  speculum. 

Female.— Bill  blackish  and  less  swollen  than  in  male  ;  general  plumage  similar 
to  male  but  paler  ;  speculum  white  ;  whitish  patch  on  side  of  head.  Length  about 
22  inches  ;  extent  about  38  inches  ;  female  smaller. 

Habitat.—  Northern  North  America,  breeding  in  Labrador  and  the  fur  countries  ; 
south  in  winter  to  the  Middle  States,  southern  Illinois  and  southern  California. 

Spring  and  fall  migrant  and  winter  visitor  on  our  principal  rivers 
and  at  Erie  bay.  At  the  last  mentioned  locality  this  species  is  some- 
times seen,  particularly  in  the  late  fall  or  early  winter,  in  good-sized 
nocks.  On  the  Susquehanna  river  it  is  usually  found  singly  or  in  pairs. 

Oidemia  perspicillata  (LINN.). 

Surf  Scoter ;  Surf  Duck  ;  Booby  ;  Sea  Coot. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Male.—  Upper  mandible  much  swollen  and  frontal  feathers  extend  far  forward  ; 
maxilla  swollen  at  sides  and  wider  at  upper  part  of  base  than  below  ;  general  color 
black  ;  a  triangular  white  patch  on  top  of  head,  beginning  at  about  middle  of  eyes 
and  narrowing  as  it  extends  over  forehead  ;  a  second  white  triangular  patch,  widest 
above  on  nape  and  extending  down  on  back  of  neck ;  bill  (dried  skin)  pale-yellowish 
and  red,  with  large  rounded  black  spots  on  side  ;  legs  red  ;  iris  yellowish.  Female 
has  a  blackish  bill  which  is  not  swollen  at  base ;  general  plumage  sooty-brown ; 
lower  parts  grayish  ;  sides  of  head  whitish,  in  some  individuals  a  whitish  loral  patch  ; 
forehead  and  hind  neck  brownish  black.  Length  of  male  about  20  inches  ;  extent 
about  33. 

Habitat. — Coasts  and  larger  inland  waters  of  northern  North  America ;  in  winter 
south  to  the  Carolinas,  the  Ohio  river  and  Lower  California. 

Bather  rare  spring  and  fall  migrant  and  winter  resident.  When  found 
with  us  this  duck  inhabits  the  same  localities  as  the  two  previously 
described  species.  In  January,  1890, 1  purchased  from  a  hunter  at  Erie, 
one  of  these  Scoters,  which  he  had  shot  on  the  bay,  where  he  said  a  flock 
of  about  twenty  had  been  seen. 

GENUS  ERISMATURA  BONAPARTE. 
Erismatura  rubida  (  WILS.  ) . 

Ruddy  Duck  ;  Spine-tailed  Duck. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  63). 

Bill  bent  upwards  and  about  as  long  as  head,  very  broad  ;  nostrils  small  and  situ- 
ated near  culmen ;  head  small ;  neck  thick  ;  tail  consists  of  eighteen  stiff  and  narrow 
feathers  ;  the  under  surface  of  shafts  of  tail  feathers  channelled;  tail  coverts  very 
short. 

Male.—  Bill  bluish  ;  legs  grayish-blue  ;  iris  reddish-brown  ;  top  of  head  and  nape 
blackish  ;  upper  plumage,  greater  part  of  neck  rusty-brown,  brightest  on  back  ;  sides 
of  head  and  chin  white  ;  lower  parts  whitish,  breast  sometimes  very  rusty. 

Female  and  young  male.  —Top  of  head  and  upper  parts  generally  brownish,  dotted 
with  grayish  and  reddish-brown  ;  sides  of  head  grayish-white  and  rusty  lower  parts 
grayish-white.  A  small  duck  about  15  inches  long  and  22  inches  in  extent. 

Habitat. — North  America  in  general,  south  to  Cuba,  Guatemala  and  northern 
South  America,  breeding  throughout  most  of  its  North  American  range. 


BTET)S  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  49 


Winter  resident  found  generally  throughout  the  state.  Arrives  in 
October  and  remains  until  late  in  April ;  in  summer,  occasionally,  strag- 
glers of  this  species  are  observed  at  Erie  bay,  but  I  am  not  aware  that 
they  ever  breed  there  or  in  any  other  part  of  Pennsylvania.  Although 
the  Spine-tailed  Ducks  are  found  here  in  winter,  they  are  much  more 
numerous  during  the  spring  and  fall  migrations  than  in  winter.  The 
Buddy  Duck  varies  greatly  in  its  plumage,  but  can  easily  be  recognized 
by  its  long  stiff  tail  which,  when  swimming,  is  carried  high  up.  Like 
the  Grebe,  this  duck  is  an  expert  diver.  Its  food  consists  chiefly  of 
vegetable  substances — seeds,  roots  and  stems  of  grasses  and  other  aquatic 
plants. 

SUBFAMILY  ANSERINE.    GEESE. 
THE  GEESE. 

But  one  representative  of  this  subfamily— the  common  Wild  Goose  (B.  canaden- 
sis) — is  found  as  a  regular  and  common  migrant  in  our  state. 

GENUS  CHEN  BOIE. 
Chen  caerulescens  (LINN.). 

Blue  Snow  Goose. 

DESCRIPTION. 

"  Bill  and  feet  flesh-pink,  former  with  the  recess  between  the  mandibles  black, 
the  nails  whitish  ;  iris  dark  brown  ;  claws  dusky.  Head  and  neck  above  white,  the 
neck  below,  passing  on  to  the  back  and  breast,  dusky-gray,  then  fading  into  whitish 
on  the  under  parts,  changing  on  the  wings  into  fine  bluish-gray,  or  silvery  ash ; 
rump  and  upper  tail  coverts  whitish  ;  quills  and  tail  feathers  dusky,  edged  with 
whitish,  primaries  black.  Size  of  the  Snow  Goose  (Chen  hyperborea  nivalis),  or 
rather  less,  and  closely  resembling  the  young  of  that  species.  Length  about  25  f 
wing  16  ;  bill  2.25  ;  tarsus  3. 

Habitat.— North  America  at  large"  (but  chiefly  in  the  interior).— Cone's  Key  to 
N.  A.  Birds. 

The  Blue  Snow  Goose,  called  also  the  Blue  Goose,  is  placed  in  the 
"  Hypothetical  List  "  of  the  A.  O.  U.  Check  List,  but  Prof.  Kobert  Bidg- 
way  (Manual  of  N.  A.  Birds)  states  that  it  is  beyond  question  a  good 
species.  I  have  never  seen  the  Blue  Goose  in  Pennsylvania,  but  give  it 
a  place  in  this  report  on  the  authority  of  Dr.  T.  Z.  Hazzard,  residing  at 
Allegheny  City,  Pa.,  who  writes  me  that  he  saw  one  which  was  shot  on 
the  Ohio  river,  near  Pittsburgh,  in  the  fall  of  1887.  This  bird  was  seen 
in  company  with  other  wildfowl.  The  Doctor  further  adds  it  is  very 
rare  here  even  as  a  migrant. 

Chen  hyperborea  nivalis  (FOKST.). 

Greater  Snow  Goose. 

DESCRIPTION. 

"  Bill  carmine-red  or  pale  purplish  with  a  salmon  tinge,  the  nails  white,  the  recess 
between  mandibles  black.  Eyes  dark  brown.  Feet  dull  lake-red,  the  claws  black- 

4  BIRDS. 


50  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


ish.  Adult  plumage  pure  white,  the  head  usually  washed  with  rusty-brown,  like  a 
swan's,  the  ends  of  the  primaries  blackening.  Young  resembling  the  last,  but  the 
head  not  white,  while  other  parts  are  colored.  Large:  length,  27.00—31.00;  extent, 
57.00—62.00;  *  *  *  weight  5  or  6  pounds."— Cone's  Key  N.  A.  B. 

Habitat.— North  America,  breeding  far  north,  and  migrating  south  in  winter, 
chiefly  along  the  Atlantic  coast,  reaching  Cuba. 

Bare  and  irregular  visitor  in  the  early  spring,  late  fall,  and  in  winter. 
Specimens  have  been  taken  in  Pennsylvania  by  Dr.  John  W.  Detwiller 
of  Bethlehem,  Pa.,  and  Prof.  H.  Justin  Roddy  of  Millersville,  Pa. 


GENUS  BRANTA  SCOPOLI. 
Branta  canadensis  (LiNN.). 

Canada  Goose. 

DESCRIPTION    (Plate  6£). 

*'  Tail  of  eighteen  feathers  ;  head,  neck,  bill  and  feet,  deep-black  ;  a  large  triangular 
patch  of  white  on  the  cheeks  behind  the  eye  ;  the  two  of  opposite  sides  broadly  con- 
fluent beneath,  but  not  extending  to  the  rami  of  lower  jaw  ;  a  few  whitish  feathers 
on  lower  eyelid  ;  upper  parts  brown,  edged  with  paler ;  under  parts  light,  with  a 
tinge  of  purple-gray,  sometimes  a  shade  of  smoky  brown  ;  the  edges  of  the  feathers 
paler  ;  the  color  of  the  body  of  the  feathers,  though  similar,  becoming  deeper  on  the 
sides,  tibia,  axillars,  and  inside  of  wings  ;  the  gray  of  the  belly  passes  gradually  into 
white  on  the  anal  region  and  under  coverts  ;  the  upper  tail  coverts  are  pure-white  ; 
the  primary  quills  and  rump  are  very  dark  blackish-brown  ;  the  tail  feathers  are 
black ;  iris  brown. 

"  Length,  35  inches ;  wing,  18;  tarsus,  3.10;  commissure,  2.10  inches."— Baird's 
Birds  of  N.  A. 

Habitat.— Temperate  North  America,  breeding  in  the  northern  United  States  and 
British  Provinces  ;  south  in  winter  to  Mexico. 

This  well-known  bird,  usually  called  Wild  Goose,  is  a  common  spring 
and  fall  migrant  in  Pennsylvania. 

In  referring  to  this  species,  Wilson  says  :  "  The  flight  of  the  Wild 
Geese  is  heavy  and  laborious,  generally  in  a  straight  line,  or  in  two 
lines,  approximating  to  a  point  thus,  >  :  In  both  cases  the  van  is  led 
by  an  old  gander,  who,  every  now  and  then,  pipes  his  well  known  honk, 
as  if  to  ask  how  they  come  on  ;  and  the  honk  of  'All's  well '  is  generally 
returned  by  some  of  the  party.  Their  course  is  in  a  straight  line,  with 
the  exception  of  the  undulations  of  their  flight.  When  bewildered  in 
foggy  weather,  they  appear  sometimes  to  be  in  great  distress,  flying 
about  in  an  irregular  manner,  and  for  a  considerable  time  over  the  same 
quarter,  making  a  great  clamor.  On  these  occasions,  should  they  ap- 
proach the  earth  and  alight — which  they  sometimes  do  to  rest  and  rec- 
ollect themselves — the  only  hospitality  they  meet  with  is  death  and  de- 
struction from  a  whole  neighborhood  already  in  arms  for  their  ruin." 

The  food  of  this  species  consists  chiefly  of  vegetable  materials,  such 
as  cereals,  the  seeds,  roots  and  other  portions  of  plants. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  51 

Branta  bernicla  (LiNN.). 

Brant. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Bill  rather  small  and  short  Bill  and  legs  black  ;  iris  brown.  Head,  neck,  body 
in  front  of  wings,  primaries  and  tail  black  ;  a  small  white  patch  on  each  side  of  neck 
streaked  with  black  ;  few  white  feathers  on  chin  and  about  lower  eyelids ;  back 
brownish-gray,  lower  parts  quite  similar  but  lighter  ;  rump  darker  than  upper  part 
of  back  ;  feathers  about  tail  mostly  white.  Length  about  23  inches  ;  extent  about  46 
inches. 

Habitat. — Northern  parts  of  the  Northern  Hemisphere  ;  in  North  America  chiefly 
on  the  Atlantic  coast ;  rare  in  the  interior,  or  away  from  salt  water. 

The  Brant,  or  Brant  Goose,  as  this  species  is  usually  called  by  sports- 
men, is  found  in  Pennsylvania  only  as  a  very  rare  and  irregular  visitor, 
about  our  large  rivers.  In  January,  1890, 1  purchased  one  of  these  birds 
from  a  gunner  who  had  shot  it  on  the  Susquehanna  river  near  Harris- 
burg,  Pa.  Mr.  D.  Frank  Keller  of  Reading,  Pa.,  has  a  specimen  which 
was  captured  in  Berks  county ;  and  Dr.  G.  A.  Scroggs,  of  Beaver,  Pa., 
informs  me  Brant  geese  are  occasionally  found  on  the  Ohio  river,  in 
Beaver  county.  The  Brant  feeds  almost  exclusively  on  a  vegetable  diet. 

SUBFAMILY  CYGNIN^.     SWANS. 

GENUS  OLOR  WAGLER. 
Olor  columbianus  (ORD.). 

Whistling  Swan. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Neck  longer  than  body.  Length  about  4£  feet ;  extent  about  7  feet ;  bill  has 
yellowish  spot  in  front  of  eye,  rest  of  bill,  also  legs  and  feet  black ;  eyes  brown. 
Plumage  of  adult  is  pure  white,  with  the  head,  neck  and  belly  in  some  individuals 
tinged  with  rusty.  The  young  are  said  to  be  a  light  lead  color,  with  head  and  neck 
tinged  with  yellowish- brown  ;  and  the  color  of  legs,  bill  and  feet  is  described  as 
being  much  paler. 

Habitat.—  Whole  of  North  America,  breeding  far  north. 

Spring  and  fall  migrant,  also  occasional  winter  visitant.  This  species 
is  more  frequently  seen  on  Lake  Erie  and  about  our  principal  rivers 
than  elsewhere,  though  it  occurs  generally  throughout  the  state.  The 
following  interesting  account  *  of  an  unusual  flight  of  these  swans,  is 
from  the  pen  of  my  friend,  Mr.  Geo.  B.  Sennett,  of  Erie  city,  Pa.: 

"  An  unusual  flight  of  swans  occurred  in  northwestern  Pennsylvania 
on  the  22d  of  last  March  (1879).  Crawford,  Mercer,  Venango  and 
Warren  counties  being  the  places  where  they  were  seen.  On  the  day 
mentioned,  as  well  as  the  previous  day  and  night,  a  severe  storm  pre- 
vailed, the  rain  and  snow  freezing  as  they  fell.  The  swans,  on  their 
migration  north,  were  caught  in  the  storm,  and  becoming  overweighted 

*  Bulletin  Nutt.  Club.  Vol.  V.  pp.  125,  126. 


52  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

with  ice  soon  grew  so  exhausted  that  they  settled  into  the  nearest  ponds 
and  streams  almost  helpless.  Generally  a  single  one  was  seen  in  some 
mill-pond  or  creek,  and  the  fowling-piece  loaded  with  large  shot,  and 
not  unfrequently  the  rifle,  was  used  to  bring-  to  bag-  the  noble  game, 
though,  considering  the  plight  they  were  in,  in  all  probability  any  one 
might  have  paddled  up  to  the  birds  and  taken  them  alive.  In  fact  in  a 
number  of  instances  they  were  reported  as  thus  taken  alive.  Large 
flocks  were  seen  in  some  districts  in  the  same  pitiable  condition.  In 
close  vicinity  of  Meadville  only  two,  I  believe,  were  taken.  Titusville 
and  Oil  City  and  the  intervening  eighteen  miles  up  Oil  creek  and  its 
branches  seem  to  have  been  the  points  where  they  were  seen  in  greatest 
number.  A  published  report  from  the  former  place  states  that  '  ten  or 
twelve  White  Swans  were  captured  alive '  near  East  Titusville.  The 
report  from  the  Bouseville  (three  miles  above  Oil  City,  on  Cherry  run) 
correspondent  of  the  Oil  City  Derrick  states :  '  A  flock  of  from  thirty- 
three  to  thirty-five  American  or  Whistling  Swans  surprised  the  inhabi- 
tants of  Plumer  on  Saturday  forenoon  by  alighting  in  the  waters  of 
Cherry  run.  One  of  the  swans  was  almost  immediately  shot  at  and 
killed,  and,  to  the  surprise  of  the  now  large  crowd  of  men  and  boys,  the 
remainder  of  the  flock,  on  account  of  the  ice  accumulating  on  their 
wings,  was  unable  to  fly,  and  a  general  rush  was  then  made  for  the 
poor  birds,  and  twenty-five  were  captured  alive  by  the  eager  fellows. 
Some  have  them  yet  alive,  but  many  were  killed  for  their  feathers  and 
flesh.  The  remaining  eight  or  ten  birds  finally  managed  with  great 
difficulty  to  arise.  One,  however,  soon  alighting  in  the  midst  of  Bouseville 
village  in  Cherry  run,  was  soon  killed  by  Dave  Phillips,  the  balance  flying 
a  little  further,  alighting  in  Oil  creek.  A  general  stampede  of  men  and 
boys  now  took  place,  the  greater  part  armed  with  some  weapon  of  war- 
fare ;  but  Charley  Clark,  a  noted  sportsman  and  accurate  shot,  led  the 
van,  and  was  successful  in  laying  over  two  of  the  splendid  birds,  and 
badly  wounding  a  third,  at  the  first  shot.  He  afterward  shot  the  third 
and  fourth,  and  the  vociferous  crowd  returned  to  town,  four  men  bearing 
the  burdens  of  the  victor's  spoils.  The  larger  of  the  birds  shot  by  Clark 
was  a  magnificent  creature,  measuring  fifty-one  inches  from  tip  of  bill 
to  tail,  and  eighty-six  inches  in  extent,  and  weighing  over  sixteen 
pounds ;  it  is  said  that  the  one  shot  by  Phillips  was  larger,  weighing- 
twenty  pounds." 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  53 


ORDER  HERODIONES.   HERONS,  IBISES,  ETC, 

SUBORDER  CICONI^E.     STORKS,  ETC. 

FAMILY  CICONIID-ffi.     WOOD  IBISES,  ETC. 
SUBFAMILY  TANTALIN-ffi.     WOOD  IBISES. 

GENUS  TANTALUS  LINNAEUS. 
Tantalus  loculator  LINN. 

Wood  Ibis. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Size  large,  with  long  legs,  neck  and  beak,  the  latter  measuring  in  specimen  before 
me  8|  inches  ;  bill  high  and  wide  at  base,  tapering  to  the  end  which  curves  down- 
ward ;  tibise  bare  for  more  than  half  their  length.  Sexes  alike  in  plumage. 

Male.— Bill  (dried  skin)  both  mandibles  about  base  blackish  ;  most  of  lower  man- 
dible, sides  of  maxilla  in  front  of  nostrils  and  culmen,  of  brownish-yellow  ;  lightest 
on  upper  surface  ;  bare  skin  of  head  and  upper  part  of  neck  dull  bluish-black, 
thickly  covered,  especially  on  nape  and  back  of  neck,  with  grayish-brown  scales ; 
tail  and  long  wing  feathers  black,  with  green,  purplish  and  bronze  reflections. 
Rest  of  plumage  pure  white ;  legs  (dried  skin)  brownish-black  ;  toes  yellowish ; 
iris  dark-brown.  Length  about  4  feet ;  extent  about  5£  feet.  Weight  9  to  12  pounds. 

Habitat.—  Southern  United  States,  from  the  Ohio  Valley,  Colorado,  Utah,  Califor- 
nia, etc.,  south  to  Buenos  Ayres  ;  casually  northward  to  Pennsylvania  and  New  York. 

The  Wood  Ibis,  a  common  resident  in  the  southern  states,  occurs  in 
Pennsylvania  as  a  very  rare  and  irregular  visitor.  The  late  Judge  Lib- 
bart,  in  his  ornithological  report  of  Lancaster  county,  says :  "  I  ob- 
tained a  fine  specimen  of  this  species,  shot  from  a  troop  of  ten  by  Mr. 
M.  Ely  on  the  Susquehanna,  July,  1862." 

Mr.  C.  J.  Pennock,  in  his  catalogue  of  Chester  county  birds,  writes 
that  a  Wood  Ibis  was  taken  a  number  of  years  ago  by  the  late  Vincent 
Barnard.  Prof.  August  Kock,  of  Williamsport,  has  one  in  his  collection 
which  was  captured  a  few  years  ago  in  Lycoming  county,  and  Dr. 
Walter  Van  Fleet,  of  Eenovo,  includes  it  among  the  stragglers  in  his 
list  of  species  found  in  Clinton  county.  Dr.  A.  C.  Treichler,  Elizabeth- 
town,  has  specimens  of  this  bird  in  his  collection  which  were  shot  in 
Lancaster  county  in  the  early  part  of  July,  1883,  shortly  after  severe 
storms.  Mr.  Geo.  P.  Friant,  of  Scranton,  informs  me  that  a  small  flock 
of  Wood  Ibises,  about  four  or  five  years  ago,  were  seen  in  his  neighbor- 
hood. 

In  Florida,  where  these  birds  were  very  common  in  1885, 1  found  they 
fed  chiefly  on  fish,  frogs  and  snakes. 

NOTE. — Dr.  Turnbull  (Birds  of  Eastern  Pennsylvania)  writing  of  the 
Glossy  Ibis  (Plegadis  autumnalis) — family  Ibididce,  says :  "  Last  season 
(1866)  Mr.  John  J£rider  shot  a  specimen  just  below  Philadelphia.  At 
long  intervals  it  has  been  seen  on  the  river  Delaware."  I  have  in  my 


54  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


possession  a  specimen  of  the  White  Ibis  (Guara  alba) — family  Ibididcn, 
which  is  said  to  have  been  captured  in  Pennsylvania  about  thirty  years 
ag-o.  In  the  museum  at  Lancaster  city,  there  is  a  specimen  of  the 
Roseate  Spoonbill  (Ajaja  ajajd) —  family  Plataleidce,  which  it  is  stated 
was  captured  over  twenty-five  years  ago  in  Lancaster  county.  As  none 
of  these  three  species  have,  so  far  as  I  can  learn,  been  observed  in  Penn- 
sylvania during  the  past  quarter  of  a  century,  I  do  not  consider  that 
any  of  them  are  entitled  to  a  place  in  this  report. 


SUBORDER  HERODIL     HERONS,  EGRETS,  BITTERNS,  ETC. 
FAMILY  ARDEID^E.     HERONS,  BITTERNS,  EGRETS. 

THE  HERONS,  ETC. 

Birds  oi  this  family— containing,  it  is  said,  about  seventy-five  species— are  very 
generally  dispersed  throughout  all  parts  of  the  globe.  A  few  species  wander  to  cold 
countries,  but  the  great  majority  of  these  waders  inhabit  the  lower  temperate  and 
tropical  regions.  In  different  localities  throughout  the  United  States,  about  fifteen 
species  and  varieties  (local  or  geographical  races)  are  recorded  by  modern  writers  ; 
of  these  nine  species  have  been  taken,  during  recent  years,  in  Pennsylvania.  Some 
species  occur  with  us  as  regular  summer  residents,  while  others  are  observed  here 
only  as  transitory  visitors  in  the  spring  and  fall  migrations.  These  birds  frequent 
muddy  banks  of  rivers,  creeks,  lakes  and  ponds ;  they  are  also  found  about  swampy 
meadows  and  marshy  places,  particularly  if  the  latter  are  well  supplied  with  pools 
of  shallow  water,  protected  by  trees  or  bushes.  They  often  remain  quiet  or  inactive 
in  daytime,  but  as  evening  approaches,  or  in  the  night,  they  go  out,  like  the  owls, 
in  quest  of  food,  which  is  secured  by  rapid,  dexterous  thrusts  of  their  long,  spear- 
like  bills.  Birds  of  this  group  subsist  chiefly  on  various  kinds  of  fishes  (fish  meas- 
uring nearly  a  foot  in  length  are  often  swallowed  by  large  herons),  frogs  and  snakes ; 
and  they  also  eat  other  kinds  of  animal  food,  such  as  large  insects,  field-mice,  lizards, 
cray-fish,  leeches,  etc.,  and  some  of  the  larger  herons  occasionally  catch  wood-rats, 
and  young  birds  of  other  species  which  breed  about  their  favorite  feeding  resorts 
With  the  exception  of  the  Bitterns,  these  birds  are  gregarious,  particularly  when 
breeding,  and  in  the  southern  states  where  herons  and  egrets  are  abundant,  they 
often  breed  together  in  great  numbers,  frequently  in  company  with  cormorants, 
water  turkeys  and  ibises.  The  herons  and  egrets  build  rude  and  bulky  nests  of 
sticks  and  twigs,  in  trees  or  bushes  ;  the  bluish  or  greenish  colored  and  unspotted 
eggs  vary  from  two  to  six  in  number.  The  sharp,  rasping  cries  of  these  birds,  are 
often  uttered  when  feeding,  also  if  they  are  frightened,  and  frequently  when  flying, 
either  when  migrating  or  when  going  to  and  from  their  feeding  places.  Birds  of 
this  family  are  known  by  the  following  characters  :  Long  neck  and  legs  ;  bill  long, 
straight,  tapering,  acute  and  furnished  with  sharp  cutting  edges.  Lores  naked  and 
usually,  particularly  in  the  breeding  season,  bright  colored  ;  the  head  is  rather  long, 
narrow  and  flat  on  the  sides.  When  breeding  these  birds  frequently  have  back  of 
head,  the  lower  neck,  back  or  scapulars,  beautifully  ornamented  with  long  plumes. 
Herons  and  egrets  have  three  pairs  of  powder-down  tracts,  one  on  lower  part  of  back, 
the  second  on  lower  belly,  and  a  third  on  breast.  Bitterns  have  two  pairs  of  these 
tracts,  one  on  lower  back,  the  other  on  breast ;  toes  long  and  slender  ;  the  claws  are 
long  and  curved,  especially  that  of  hind  toe,  and  the  middle  claw  has  a  fine  comb 
on  inner  edge.  The  hind  toe  is  inserted  on  a  level  with  three  in  front ;  outer  toes 
usually  connected  with  middle  by  a  small  web  at  base,  others  free.  Tail  very  short, 
twelve  feathers,  except  in  bitterns,  which  have  only  ten. 


- 

a* 


if 

^ 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  55 


SUBFAMILY    BOTAURIN-ffi.    BITTERNS. 
GENUS     BOTAURUS     HERMANN. 
Botaurus  lentiginosus  (MONTAG.). 

American  Bittern ;  Indian  Hen. 

DESCRIPTION     (Plate  5) . 

Adult.— Bill  yellowish,  dusky  on  ridge,  lores  greenish  yellow  ;  legs  and  feet  yel- 
lowish-green ;  iris  yellow.  Length,  about  26  inches ;  extent,  about  45  inches.  Gen- 
eral color  brownish-yellow,  top  of  head  dull  brown,  upper  parts  finely  freckled  and 
variegated  with  different  shades  of  brown,  blackish  and  whitish  ;  chin  and  throat 
white  with  brown  streak  ;  a  broad  and  glossy-black  stripe  about  three  inches  long 
on  upper  part  of  neck. 

Habitat.—  Temperate  North  America,  south  to  Guatemala  and  the  West  Indies. 

The  Bittern  or  "  Green-legged  Crane,"  as  this  wader  is  called  by  many 
sportsmen,  is  readily  distinguished  from  other  birds  of  the  family  by  its 
brownish-yellow  plumage,  greenish-colored  legs,  and  large  size.  It  is  a 
summer  resident  in  Pennsylvania,  where  it  arrives  generally  early  in 
April  and  remains  until  about  the  first  week  in  November.  Although 
these  birds  breed,  occasionally  at  least,  in  different  parts  of  the  state, 
they  are  much  more  frequently  met  with  (singly  or  in  pairs)  when  mi- 
grating in  the  spring  and  fall,  than  in  summer.  In  this  locality  these 
birds  are  never  found  in  flocks  ;  commonly  only  solitary  individuals  are 
seen  frequenting  chiefly  the  thick  swampy  districts  about  meadows  and 
rivers.  During  the  daylight  Bitterns  conceal  themselves  in  the  long 
grasses,  weeds,  bushes,  etc.,  growing  about  swamps.  They  migrate  and 
feed  during  the  night. 

Mr.  George  B.  Sennett,  Erie,  Pa.,  says,  he  is  quite  certain  this  species 
breeds  occasionally  on  the  peninsula,  near  Erie  city ;  also  at  Conneaut 
Lake,  Lake  Pleasant  and  Oil  Creek  Lake,  in  Crawford  county.  Mr.  W. 
H.  Buller,  residing  at  Marietta,  Lancaster  county,  Pa.,  in  a  letter  dated 
July  29,  1889,  addressed  to  me,  writes  as  follows  :  "  I  am  inclined  to 
believe  that  the  American  Bittern  breeds  in  the  vicinity  of  Schock's 
Mills,  a  few  miles  west  of  Marietta.  While  I  have  never  found  its  nest 
or  seen  its  young,  yet  I  have  so  frequently  seen  the  bird  in  that  vicinity 
during  the  summer  that  I  think  it  probable  that  it  breeds  in  the  swamps 
there."  Dr.  George  B.  Boss,  of  Lebanon,  Pa.,  states  that  it  breeds  in 
Lebanon  county.  In  Perry  county,  Mr.  H.  Justin  Boddy,  Millersville, 
Pa.,  has  observed  it  as  a  "  rare  breeder."  Mr.  J.  F.  Kocher,  of  South 
Whitehall,  Pa.,  says  the  Bittern  is  occasionally  found  breeding  in  Le- 
high  county,  and  Dr.  Walter  Van  Fleet  of  Benovo,  Pa.,  mentions  it  as 
breeding  occasionally  and  sparingly  in  Clinton  county. 

The  nest  of  this  bird  is  placed  on  the  ground ;  the  eggs,  three  to  five 
in  number — three  is  said  to  be  the  usual  number — are  described  as 
brownish-drab,  unspotted,  measuring  about  2  inches  long  by  about  If 
inches  broad. 


56 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


According  to  Dr.  Coues,  "  the  food  of  this  bird  consists  of  various 
kinds  of  small  aquatic  animals.  In  its  stomach  may  be  found  different 
molluscs,  craw-fish,  frogs,  lizards,  small  snakes  and  fishes,  as  well  as 
insects.  Such  prey  is  captured  with  great  address,  by  spearing,  as  the 
bird  walks  or  wades  stealthily  along.  The  thrust  of  the  bill  is  marvel- 
ously  quick  and  skilful — more  action  is  displayed  on  such  occasions 
than  probably  under  any  other  circumstance." — Birds  of  the  Northivest. 

Although  Bitterns  frequently  devour  fish,  I  believe  they  prefer  other 
kinds  of  animal  food,  especially  snakes,  frogs  and  insects. 

The  food  materials  of  nine  of  these  birds,  which  I  have  examined,  are 
given  in  the  following  table : 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1 

April  11.  1880,  . 

Chester  county.  Pa.    .  .   . 

Beetles  and  scales  of  flsh. 

2 

April  23.  1880,  .       . 

Chester  county.  Pa.    .  .   . 

Water-snake. 

8 

April  29.  1881,  . 

Delaware  county.  Pa..  .   . 

Cray-flsh  and  frogs. 

4 
5 

Sept.  —  .  1881.  .       . 
April  —  ,  1882,  . 

Chester  county.  Pa.    .   .   . 
Chester  county.  Pa.    .  .  . 

Beetles  and  frogs. 
Two  snakes,  each  about  eighteen  inches  in  length. 

6 

April-.  1882.  .       . 

Chester  county,  Pa.    .  .   . 

Snake  and  snails. 

8 

Oct.      3.  1883.  . 
April  —  i  18S5.  .       . 

Philadelphia  Market,  Pa.  . 
Orange  county,  Fla.    .  .  . 

Grasshoppers  and  beetles. 
Numerous  insects. 

9 

April  —  ,  1885,  .       . 

Orange  county,  Fla.    .  .  . 

Cray-fish  and  remains  of  fishes. 

Botaurus  exilis  (GMEL.). 


Least  Bittern. 


DESCRIPTION. 


"  Head  above  and  the  back  dark  glossy-green  ;  upper  part  of  neck,  shoulders, 
greater  coverts,  and  outer  webs  of  some  tertials,  purplish-cinnamon  ;  a  brownish- 
yellow  scapular  stripe  (broadest  in  female). 

Female  with  the  green  of  head  and  back  replaced  by  purplish-chestnut.  Iris 
yellow. 

Length,  13  inches;  extent,  about  17;  wing,  4.75;  tarsus,  1.60;  bill  above,  1.75."— 
Bawds'  B.  of  N.  A. 

Habitat.— Temperate  North  America,  from  British  Provinces  to  the  West  Indies 
and  Brazil. 

The  Least  Bittern,  the  smallest  of  the  herons,  I  have  found  in  this 
state  only  as  a  rather  rare  visitant  during  the  spring  and  fall  migrations. 
This  species  is  sometimes,  though  rarely,  observed  in  Pennsylvania 
during  the  breeding  season.  When  alarmed  they  fly  generally  but  a  few 
yards  and  take  shelter  among  the  reeds  or  long  grass.  Least  Bitterns 
are  scarcely  ever  seen  exposed,  but  skulk  during  the  day,  and,  like  the 
preceding  species,  feed  chiefly  in  the  night. 

Mr.  Geo.  B.  Sennett,  of  Erie,  has  taken  specimens  in  Crawford  and 
Erie  counties,  where  it  is  said  the  species  breeds  occasionally.  Dr.  John 
W.  Detwiller,  of  Bethlehem,  Pa.,  has  found  the  Least  and  also  the 
American  Bitterns  breeding  here.  From  personal  observation  I  know 
nothing  concerning  the  nest  or  eggs  of  this  species.  The  following  in- 
teresting remarks  relating  to  nest  and  eggs  of  this  bird  are  taken  from 
Oliver  Davie's  valuable  work  (Nests  and  Eggs  of  North  American 


Plate  13. 


Marsh  Hawk. 

1,  Male;  2.  Female. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


57 


Birds}:  "In  some  places  as  many  as  a  dozen  or  twenty  pairs  breed 
along  the  grassy  shores  of  a  small  lake  or  pond.  Like  the  last,  it  in- 
habits reedy  swamps  and  marshes  where  the  quagmire  abounds  with  a 
luxuriant  growth  of  rushes,  which  is  also  the  home  of  the  rails.  The 
nest  is  placed  on  the  ground  or  in  the  midst  of  the  rankest  grass,  or  in 
a  bush.  It  is  often  placed  on  floating  bog,  and  is  simply  a  platform  of 
dead  rushes.  The  bird  has  many  odd  habits.  When  standing,  on  the 
edge  of  a  stream,  with  its  neck  drawn  in,  it  is  often  taken  for  a  wood- 
cock, the  long  bill  giving  it  this  appearance.  It  appears  so  stupid  at 
times  that  it  may  be  caught  with  the  hand.  The  bird  is  mostly  seen 
just  before  or  after  sunset.  In  many  of  the  southern  states  this  species 
rears  two  broods  in  a  season,  fresh  eggs  having  been  obtained  in  May 
and  August.  In  Texas,  Mr.  Rachford  says,  it  nests  along  the  edges  of 
the  water  courses  in  May,  bending  down  the  tops  of  water  grass  and 
platting  it  into  a  snug  little  nest,  about  two  or  three  feet  above  the 
water.  *  *  *  *  The  eggs  of  the  Least  Bittern  are  from  three  to 
five,  usually  four,  in  number,  pale  bluish  or  greenish-white,  elliptical  in 
shape.  The  average  size  is  1.20  by  .93." 

According  to  Nuttall,  this  species  subsists  chiefly  on  small  fish  and 
aquatic  insects.  Audubon  states  that  "the  food  of  this  bird  consists  of 
snails,  slugs,  tadpoles,  or  young  frogs  and  water-lizards.  In  several 
instances,  however,  I  have  found  small  shrews  and  field-mice  in  their 
stomachs."  The  food  materials  of  six  of  these  birds  examined  by  me 
are  given,  with  date  of  collection,  and  locality  where  taken,  in  the  fol- 
lowing table : 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

I 
2 

3 
4 
5 

C, 

April  29.  1879.  .   . 
Sept.  —  .  1880  
Sept.  —  .  1880  
Sept.  20.  1881  
Aug.  25,  1883  
May    20,  1884, 

Lancaster  county,  Pa  . 
Delaware  county.  Pa  
Delaware  county.  Pa  
Philadelphia  Market,  Pa  
Delaware  county,  Pa  
Chester  county  Pa 

Hair  of  small  mammal. 
Beetles. 
Insects  and  remains  of  flsh. 
Portion  of  a  small  snake  and  insects. 
Beetles  and  '  '  worms.  " 
Vegetable-matter 

SUBFAMILY  ARDEIN^S.  HERONS  AND  EGRETS. 

GENUS  ARDEA  LINNAEUS. 
Ardea  herodias  LINN. 

Great  Blue  Heron  ;  u  Big  Crane." 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  69). 

Adult. — Bill  about  six  inches  long,  chiefly  yellow,  dusky  on  culmen  ;  eyes  yellow  ; 
legs  and  feet  blackish,  yellowish  about  toes  ;  lores  greenish-yellow  or  bluish.  The 
color  of  bill,  legs  and  lores  vary  greatly  not  only  with  age  and  season  but  also  with 
individuals.  The  male,  larger  than  female,  is  about  4  feet  long  and  about,  six  feet 
from  tip  to  tip.  Forehead  and  central  portion  of  crown  white,  surrounded  on  sides 
and  behind  with  black  ;  long  occipital  feathers  black  ;  neck  chiefly  brownish-gray  : 
feathers  on  middle  (in  front)  of  lower  two-thirds  of  neck,  with  a  showy  streak  of 


58  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


black,  white  and  rusty  ;  chin  and  upper  part  of  neck  in  front  white.  Tibise  and  edge 
of  wing  reddish-brown  ;  upper  parts  and  tail  light  bluish-slate  color  ;  long  scapular 
feathers  and  long  loose  feathers  on  lower  neck  ;  crissum  white  ;  under  parts  chiefly 
black,  streaked  with  white.  The  young  are  different  in  many  respects  from  the 
above,  but  can  always  be  known  by  their  large  size  and  a  general  resemblance  to 
the  adult. 

Habitat. — North  America,  from  the  Arctic  regions  southward  to  the  West  Indies 
and  northern  South  America. 

This  bird,  the  largest  of  our  herons,  is  a  summer  resident  in  various 
localities  in  this  state.  During-  the  last  few  years,  however,  several 
favorite  breeding1  resorts  in  eastern  Pennsylvania,  which  were  annually 
visited  by  this  and  other  species,  have  been  broken  up  by  boys  and  men 
who  destroyed  the  birds,  old  and  young,  simply  because  their  feathers 
would  bring  a  few  dollars,  and,  as  they  remarked,  "  there's  no  law  to 
stop  it." 

I  have  no  doubt  that  the  time  will  soon  come  when  this  beautiful 
heron  will  be  known  in  this  commonwealth  only  as  a  rare  straggling 
visitant.  The  nest  is  made  of  large  sticks  and  twigs,  and  placed  on  the 
larger  limbs  of  trees,  generally  near  the  water.  The  eggs  vary  in  num- 
ber from  three  to  five,  are  light-blue  in  color,  and  about  the  size  of  those 
of  our  common  domestic  fowl.  This  bird,  and  the  same  is  true  of  other 
herons,  when  wounded  and  unable  to  escape,  is  one  which  cannot  be 
handled  with  too  much  caution,  as  it  frequently,  with  its  sharp  and 
powerful  bill,  inflicts  severe,  dangerous,  and,  it  is  said,  sometimes  fatal 
wounds.  In  Florida  I  met  a  hunter  who  had  an  eye  destroyed  by  one 
of  these  birds  which  he  had  winged  and  carelessly  attempted  to  pick  up. 
By  some,  particularly  residents  of  certain  of  the  southern  states,  the 
flesh  of  the  Great  Blue  Heron  is  considered  quite  a  delicious  morsel. 
Some  few  winters  ago,  when  camping  in  the  cypress  swamps  of  Florida, 
I,  more  from  necessity  than  choice,  eat  the  breast  meat  of  this  heron 
and  also  that  of  the  Water  Turkey  (Anhinga  anhinga),  a  bird  which 
preys  exclusively  on  fish,  and  although  I  did  not  especially  relish  the 
dish,  I  must  admit  that  to  a  hungry  man  it  was  in  no  way  disagreeable. 

The  following  interesting  observations  on  the  food-habits  are  given  by 
Nuttall :  "  Fish  is  the  principal  food  of  the  Great  Heron,  and  for  this 
purpose,  like  an  experienced  angler,  he  often  waits  for  that  condition  of 
the  tide  which  best  suits  his  experience  and  instinct.  At  such  times 
they  are  seen  slowly  sailing  out  from  their  inland  breeding  haunts,  dur- 
ing the  most  silent  and  cool  period  of  the  summer's  day,  selecting 
usually  such  shallow  inlets  as  the  ebbing  tide  leaves  bare  or  accessible 
to  his  watchful  and  patient  mode  of  prowling ;  here  wading  to  the  knees 
he  stands  motionless  amidst  the  timorous  fry,  till  some  victim  coming 
within  the  compass  of  his  wily  range  is  as  instantly  seized  by  the  pow- 
erful bill  of  the  heron.  *  *  *  If  large  the  fish  is  beaten  to 
death,  and  commonly  swallowed  with  the  head  descending,  as  if  to  avoid 
any  obstacle  arising  from  the  reversion  of  the  fins  or  any  hard  external 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


59 


processes.  On  land  our  heron  has  also  his  fare,  as  he  is  no  less  a  suc- 
cessful angler  than  a  mouser,  and  renders  an  important  service  to  the 
farmer  in  the  destruction  he  makes  among  most  of  the  reptiles  and 
meadow  shrews.  Grasshoppers,  other  large  insects,  and  particularly 
dragon-flies,  he  is  very  expert  in  striking,  and  occasionally  feeds  upon 
the  seeds  of  pond  lilies,  contiguous  to  his  usual  haunts.  Our  species, 
in  all  probability,  as  well  as  the  European  Heron,  at  times  preys  upon 
the  young  birds  which  may  be  accidentally  straggling  near  their  soli- 
tary retreats." 

In  the  months  of  March  and  April,  1885, 1  examined  the  stomachs  of 
twenty-three  of  these  birds  which  had  been  killed  by  plume-hunters  in 
Orange  and  Volusia  counties,  Florida.  Twelve  birds  had  fed  entirely 
on  fish ;  three  had  taken  fish  and  cray-fish ;  two,  small  snakes ;  one, 
frogs  and  fish;  one,  fish  and  a  few  feathers;  one,  traces  of  beetles, 
Three  birds  were  destitute  of  all  food  materials. 

From  my  investigations  made  in  Florida,  as  well  as  the  records  in 
the  following  table,  I  would  say  this  heron  is  mainly  piscivorous  in 
habit : 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATEKIALS. 

1 

June    3    1879    

Brigantine.  N.  J.. 

Remains  of  flsh. 

2 

Aug    23    1879  

Chester  county.  Pa  

Remains  of  flsh. 

3 

June    7    1880 

Delaware  county    Pa.  , 

Remains  of  flsh 

4 

June  12    1880,         

Berks  county,  Pa  

Remains  of  flsh. 

5 

May   15,  1880  

Chester  county,  Pa  

Remains  of  flsh. 

Q 

Sept  —    1882 

Brigantine,  N.  J..        .  .                 ... 

Remains  of  flsh. 

g 

Oct.    24,  1883  
April  20    1884 

Delaware  county,  Pa  
Delaware  county.  Pa  . 

Remains  of  flsh. 
Remains  of  flsh. 

y 

Aug.  —  ,  1884  

Willistown,  Pa  

Remains  of  flsh. 

10 

Aug    —    1884 

Willlstown   Pa  , 

Remains  of  flsh. 

Ardea  egretta  GMEL. 

American  Egret ;  Large  White  Crane. 

DESCRIPTION. 

The  plumage  of  this  bird  is  entirely  white  ;  in  the  breeding  season  the  adults  have 
the  backs  ornamented  with  long  hair-like  plumes,  frequently  so  long  that  they 
touch  the  ground  when  the  bird  stands  erect ;  legs  and  feet  black  ;  eyes  bright  yel- 
low ;  bill  yellow,  and  about  five  inches  long  ;  point  of  upper  mandible  black  ;  meas- 
ures, from  tip  to  tip  of  wings,  about  five  feet 

Habitat.—  Temperate  and  tropical  America,  from  New  Jersey,  Minnesota  and 
Oregon  south  to  Patagonia  ;  casually  on  the  Atlantic  coast  to  Nova  Scotia. 

This  beautiful  bird,  now  chiefly  found  in  the  southern  states,  where 
it  is  rapidly  being  exterminated  by  the  heartless  and  money-loving 
plume-hunters,  is  a  rather  rare  and  irregular  migrant  in  Pennsylvania. 
It  occurs  in  this  state,  generally,  only  in  the  late  summer  and  autumn, 
when  straggling  individuals  are  seen  in  suitable  locations,  in  almost 
every  quarter  of  the  commonwealth.  In  former  years,  this  species  is 
said  to  have  reared  its  young  in  Pennsylvania.  The  stomach  contents 
of  thirteen  of  these  egrets,  which  I  have  examined,  are  here  given  • 


60 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1       August, 

1879,  . 

Lancaster  county.  Pa  

Fishes  and  insects. 

2       July, 
3       July, 

1881  
1884,  

Chester  county.  Pa  
Delaware  county.  Pa  

Field-mouse  and  cray-flsh. 
Fishes  and  frogs  (Rana). 

4       April, 

1885  

Orange  county,  Fla  

Cray-fish. 

5       April, 
6       April, 
7       April, 
8       April, 

1885'  
1885,  
1885,  
1885,  . 

Orange  county,  Fla  
Orange  county,  Fla  
Orange  county,  Fla  
Orange  county,  Fla  

Fish-scales  and  bones. 
Fishes. 
Insects. 
Feathers,  apparently  of  a  sparrow  (  ?  ) 

9       April. 
10       April. 

1885  
1885  

Orange  county.  Fla  
Orange  county.  Fla  

Cray-fish  and  small  snake. 
Fish  -scales  and  bones. 

11        April, 
12       May 

1885  

1885 

Orange  county,  Fla  
Volusia  county,  Fla.,    

Cray-fish  and  fish-scales. 
Stomach  empty. 

13       May, 

1885  

Volusia  county,  Fla.  ,    

Beetles  and  dipterous  insects. 

Ardea  candidissima  GMEL. 

Snowy  Heron  ;  Little  White  Egret. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Adults  in  the  breeding  season  have  long  fine  hair-like  occipital  feathers  ;  the  long 
plumes  on  back  are  frequently  curved  upward  at  ends,  which  reach  to  or  a  little 
beyond  the  ends  of  tail ;  plumes  on  lower  neck  similar  but  not  curved.  Plumage 
in  both  sexes,  and  at  all  ages,  entirely  white  ;  bill  black,  yellow  at  base  ;  lores,  eyes 
and  posterior  part  of  tarsus,  yellow,  rest  of  legs  black  ;  length  about  24  inches  ;  ex- 
tent about  38  inches.  In  young  birds  the  occipital  feathers  are  slightly  developed, 
and  they  also  lack  the  long  plumes  of  back,  and  jugulum.  Old  birds  when  not  in 
breeding  dress,  have  generally  at  all  seasons,  the  occipital  crests  well  developed, 
but  lack  the  hair-like  plumes  on  back  and  lower  neck. 

Habitat.—  Temperate  and  tropical  America,  from  Long  Island  and  Oregon  south 
to  Buenos  Ayres  ;  casual  on  the  Atlantic  coast  to  Nova  Scotia. 

This  beautiful  heron  is  most  plentiful  in  the  southern  states,  where 
it  breeds  in  company  with  other  species.  Solitary  individuals  are 
sometimes  found  in  this  locality  during"  the  late  summer  or  early 
autumn.  This  egret  is  much  less  frequently  met  with  in  Pennsylvania 
than  the  last.  In  the  counties  of  Crawford  and  Erie,  Messrs.  Geo.  B. 
Sennett,  of  Erie  city,  and  H.  C.  Kirkpatrick,  of  Meadville,  have  found 
the  Snowy  Heron  only  as  a  very  rare  and  irregular  visitor.  Prof.  H. 
Justin  Roddy,  writing  to  me  July  29,  1887,  from  Landisburg,  Perry 
county,  says,  "  July  27th  I  secured  here  a  very  fine  specimen  of  the 
American  Egret  (A.  egretta);  the  first  I  have  ever  seen  in  this  county. 
I  have  a  number  of  times  seen  the  Snowy  Heron  (A.  candidissima)  in 
this  locality."  Occasional  stragglers  of  this  species  have  been  met  with 
in  Lehigh  and  Northampton  counties,  by  Dr.  John  W.  Detwiller,  of 
Bethlehem.  Mr.  J.  F.  Kocher,  of  South  Whitehall,  Lehigh  county  ;  Dr. 
Geo.  B.  Boss,  of  Lebanon,  Lebanon  county ;  Dr.  Walter  Van  Fleet, 
Benovo,  Clinton  county;  Jonas  Stern,  Kutztown;  D.  Frank  Keller, 
Beading,  Berks  county ;  George  Miller  and  Casper  Loucks,  York,  York 
county ;  Dr.  A.  C.  Treichler,  Lancaster  county ;  M.  J.  Webster,  Madi- 
sonville,  Lackawanna  county,  and  Dr.  I.  F.  Everhart,  of  Scranton,  Lacka- 
wanna  county,  all  report  this  heron  in  their  respective  counties  as  a 
rare  and  irregular  straggler. 

Nuttall  says:    "Its  food,  as  usual,  consists  of  small  crabs,  worms, 


Plate  14. 


Sharp-shinned  Hawk. 
1.  Male;  2.  Female. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  61 

snails,  frogs  and  lizards,  to  which  fare  it  also  adds  at  times  the  seeds  of 
the  pond  lilies  and  other  aquatic  plants."  In  April,  1885, 1  visited  an 
island  in  a  small  lake  in  Orange  county,  Florida,  where  this  species,  also 
the  Louisiana,  Little  Blue,  and  Green  Herons,  were  breeding  on  low 
bushes.  I  shot  seven  Snowy  Herons,  and  found  in  the  viscera  of  all 
only  the  remains  of  fish. 

Ardea  tricolor  ruficollis  (GossE.). 

Louisiana  Heron. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Adult  in  breeding  season. — Bill  four  inches  or  a  little  more  in  length,  and  very 
slender.  Bill  (dried  skin)  bluish-black,  and  yellowish  about  base  ;  lores  and  naked 
skin  around  eyes  yellowish  ;  eyes  reddish-yellow  ;  legs  dusky  bluish-yellow.  The 
three  or  four  longer  occipital  plumes,  lower  part  of  back,  rump,  sides,  under  parts 
generally,  edge  of  wing,  axillars,  lining  of  wings,  chin  and  upper  part  of  throat, 
white  ;  front  and  top  of  head,  sides  of  same,  malar  region,  and  most  of  feathers  on 
sides  of  long  neck,  bluish-slate  color;  upper  tail  coverts  white  and  bluish  ;  greater 
part  of  crest,  lower  portion  and  back  of  neck  reddish-purple.  Long  fine  scapular 
plumes,  light  brownish  gray,  quite  pale  at  ends ;  the  white  throat  is  continuous  with 
a  reddish-brown  streak  (brightest  on  upper  third  of  neck)  which  narrows  and  be- 
comes less  distinct,  as  it  extends  down  in  front.  The  young  are  never  white  as  in 
Ardea  cosrulea  :  they  lack  the  long  occipital  plumes,  also  the  fine  scapular  feathers  ; 
the  head  and  neck  light  brownish-red  ;  chin,  throat  and  malar  region  white  ;  neck 
in  front  streaked  with  white  and  brownish.  Length  about  27  inches;  extent  about 
36  inches. 

Habitat. — Gulf  states,  Mexico,  Central  America  and  West  Indies,  casually  north- 
ward to  New  Jersey  and  Indiana. 

The  Louisiana  Heron,  more  or  less  abundant  in  many  of  the  south 
Atlantic  and  gulf  states,  I  have  never  seen  in  Pennsylvania,  where  it 
has  been  observed  only  as  a  rare  or  accidental  visitor  in  the  late  summer 
or  autumn. 

Stragglers  have  been  seen,  at  irregular  intervals,  by  the  following 
named  gentlemen  in  their  respective  localities :  Dr.  John  W.  Detwiller, 
Bethlehem,Northainpton  county ;  D.Frank  Keller,  Beading,  Berks  county, 
and  Dr.  W.  Yan  Fleet,  Benovo,  Clinton  county.  This  handsome  bird,  and 
one  which  is  particularly  graceful  in  its  movements,  I  found  breeding  in 
company  with  other  species  on  low  bushes  in  Florida,  in  March  and 
April,  1885.  Their  rather  flat  nests  were  made  entirely  of  small  sticks. 
The  bluish-green  eggs,  three  to  five  in  number,  measure  about  1.75  inches 
long  and  a  little  more  than  1.25  inches  broad.  The  viscera  of  eleven  of 
these  birds,  which  were  killed  at  this  nesting  place,  contained  fish,  frogs 
and  snails. 


62  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


Ardea  coerulea  LINN. 

Little  Blue  Heron  ;  Little  White  Heron. 

DESCRIPTION.* 

Bill  about  three  inches  long,  and  quite  slender. 

Adult  (blue  phase),  breeding  plumage. — Bill  and  lores  bluish,  former  black  to- 
wards end ;  the  long,  narrow  and  pointed  dorsal  plumes  extend  sometimes  several 
inches  beyond  the  tail ;  legs  and  feet  black  ;  eyes  yellow  ;  head  and  neck  "purplisn- 
red  or  maroon  colored,"  top  of  head  and  fine  hair-like  crest,  bluish  with  purplish 
reflections  ;  lower  part  of  neck  and  rest  of  plumage  slate-blue  (quite  light  in  some 
birds  and  dark  in  others)  ;  some  specimens  have  sooty-black  streaks  or  patches  on 
back  and  most  of  belly.  In  fifteen  of  these  herons  I  find  ten  have  a  blue  streak 
more  or  less  complete  extending  down  front  of  neck  ;  one  has  throat  bluish  and 
white  ;  theother  four  have  necks  without  these  streaks,  and  as  previously  described 

Adult  (blue  and  white  or  intermediate  phase). — Four  birds  show  about  the  fol- 
lowing coloration :  Top  of  head,  most  of  occipital  crest,  patches  on  the  sides  and  back 
of  neck,  most  of  the  forepart  of  back  (usually  rather  continuous  on  back),  tips  of 
primaries,  some  of  long  neck  plumes,  also  a  few  of  the  long  dorsal  plumes,  different 
shades  of  bluish  ;  remainder  of  plumage  white  ;  bill  chiefly  bluish  black  (one  has 
yellowish  streak  on  maxilla)  ;  bluish-yellow  about  lores  and  eyes  ;  legs  bluish-black  ; 
eyes  yellowish.  One  bird  has  greater  part  of  back,  several  large  wing  feathers,  and 
a  number  oi  the  long  dorsal  plumes  which  extend  beyond  the  tail,  entirely  slaty- 
blue  ;  primaries  faintly  tipped  with  dusky-blue  ;  the  top  of  head  and  occipital  crest, 
light  blue  ;  single  maroon  feathers,  small  patches  of  a  like  color  appear  on  head  and 
neck. 

Adult  (white  phase).— Two  birds  :  Bill,  lores  and  legs  (dried  skin)  bluish-black  ; 
eye.s  yellow  ;  ends  of  outer  quills  bluish  ;  top  of  head  and  parts  of  neck  with  a  faint 
bluish  tint ;  rest  of  plumage  pure  white. 

Young. — Bill  greenish  yellow  from  base  to  about  half  its  length  ;  under  surface  of 
lower  mandible  yellowish,  rest  of  both  mandibles  blackish  ;  lores  greenish-blue ; 
eyes  yellow  ;  legs  greenish  or  bluish-yellow  ;  ends  of  several  primaries  dusky-blue, 
rest  of  plumage  pure  white. 

Habitat. — New  Jersey,  Illinois  and  Kansas,  southward  through  Central  America 
and  the  West  Indies  to  Guiana  and  New  Grenada  ;  casually  north  on  Atlantic  coast 
to  Massachusetts  and  Maine. 

This  little  heron  is  said  to  be  more  diurnal  in  its  habits  than  others 
of  its  family.  Its  food,  collected  principally  in  the  daytime,  according 
to  different  writers,  consists  of  fish,  frogs,  tadpoles,  worms,  lizards,  small 
crabs  and  various  kinds  of  insect-life.  Thirty-one  of  these  herons,  which 
I  obtained  in  different  parts  of  Florida,  in  March  and  April,  1885,  were 
found  to  have  fed  almost  exclusively  on  small  fishes.  Twenty-six  of 
these  birds  had  only  the  remains  of  fish  in  their  viscera.  Two  others 
had  eaten  frogs  and  insects  ;  two,  insects  only,  and  the  remaining  bird 
had  in  its  stomach  two  small  frogs,  a  few  fish  bones  and  scales,  with  hair 
of  a  small  mammal.  The  nest  and  eggs  of  the  Little  Blue  Heron  are 
very  similar  to  those  of  the  Louisiana  Heron.  This  bird,  according  to 
my  experience,  is  found  in  Pennsylvania  as  a  casual  visitor  in  the  late 
summer,  or  early  autumn.  During  the  last  ten  years  I  have  seen  two 
or  three  (all  young)  which  were  taken  in  the  southeastern  part  of  the 

*  From  twenty  six  specimens;  one  (young)  captured  August,  1875,  in  Pennsylvania,  the  others  taken 
when  breeding,  in  Orange  county,  Fla. ,  March,  1885. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  63 

state.  Only  live,  of  over  seventy,  naturalists  and  collectors,  who  have 
kindly  sent  me  lists  of  birds  found  in  the  different  counties  of  our  com- 
monwealth, seems  to  have  observed  this  species.  Their  reports  are  sub- 
stantially as  follows :  Dr.  John  W.  Detwiller,  Bethlehem,  straggler  in 
Northampton  county ;  Dr.  W.  Yan  Fleet,  Eenovo,  straggler  in  Clinton 
county ;  D.  Frank  Keller,  Beading,  accidental  visitor  in  Berks  county. 
Prof.  H.  Justin  Roddy,  in  a  letter  sent  to  me  from  Landisburg,  July  15, 
1889,  says :  "Ardea  caerulea  is  a  rare  breeder  (Perry  county).  Found  a 
set  of  eggs  June  20,  1885,  near  the  base  of  Mt.  Dempsey." 

Ardea  virescens  LINN. 

Green  Heron;  Shite-poke;  Chalk-line;  Ply-up-the-creek. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  55). 

Length  about  18  inches  ;  expanse  about  26  ;  bill  rather  stout,  about  two  and  a-half 
inches  long,  and  about  half  an  inch  longer  than  tarsus. 

Adult,  in  summer.— Top  of  head,  and  lengthened  crest  glossy  green ;  sides  of 
head,  and  neck,  except  a  whitish  and  dusky  streak  in  front,  bright  chestnut  or 
maroon  ;  wing  coverts  and  upper  surface  of  wings  and  tail  feathers  glossy  green, 
wing  coverts  edged  with  brownish  and  whitish  ;  inner  primaries  with  narrow  white 
tips,  long  scapular  plumes  bluish-white  glossed  with  green,  lower  parts  grayish, 
darkest  on  sides.  Bill  greenish-black,  except  mandible  on  lower  surface,  also  lores 
and  eyes  yellow  ;  legs  greenish  yellow. 

Young. — Head  less  crested  and  dull  greenish-black,  back  and  upper  parts  gener- 
ally greenish  ;  long  scapular  plumes  absent ;  wing-coverts  much  more  broadly  bor- 
dered, brown  and  whitish  than  adult ;  many  of  larger  wing  feathers  have  showy 
white  tips ;  chin,  throat  and  front  neck,  whitish  with  dusky  streaks  ;  rest  of  and 
sides  of  head  rather  pale  reddish-brown  ;  lower  parts,  whitish  with  dusky  stripes ; 
edge  of  wing  as  in  adult,  white  ;  colour  of  eyes,  legs  and  bill  very  similar  to  old  bird. 

Habitat.—  Canada  and  Oregon,  southward  to  northern  South  America  and  the  West 
Indies  ;  rare  or  absent  in  the  middle  province. 

The  Green  Heron  is  known  by  a  variety  of  local  names,  some  of  which 
are  much  more  expressive  than  elegant.  This  bird,  the  most  common 
and  abundant  of  all  our  herons,  is  found  throughout  the  state,  frequent- 
ing rivers,  streams  and  ponds.  It  arrives  in  this  section  occasionally  as 
early  as  the  first  week  in  April,  from  the  southern  states,  where  it  re- 
sides when  the  chilling  blasts  of  winter  have  frozen  over  our  streams 
and  marshes.  This  species  sometimes  breeds  in  small  companies  ;  gen- 
erally, however,  but  two  or  three  pairs  are  found  nesting  together.  The 
nests,  built  of  sticks  and  twigs,  are  placed  in  low  bushes  or  small  trees 
adjacent  to  a  stream  or  pond.  The  nests  frequently  are  built  in  apple 
orchards.  Indeed,  the  largest  number  of  nests  that  I  ever  found  in  one 
locality  was  in  an  apple  orchard  along  the  Brandywine,  where  for  several 
years  some  twenty-five  or  thirty  of  these  birds  annually  resorted.  While 
it  is  true  that  I  have  found  these  herons  breeding  in  small  numbers  with 
the  Night  and  Great  Blue  Herons  in  Pennsylvania,  and  also  in  Florida 
in  company  with  the  Little  Blue,  Louisiana  and  Snowy  Herons,  and 
even  sometimes  in  the  colonies  of  Water  Turkeys  and  Cormorants,  I 


64 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


think,  as  a  rule,  they  usually  prefer  to  remain  by  themselves  during-  the 
season  of  reproduction  as  well  as  at  other  times.  Various  writers  state 
that  the  eggs  are  four  in  number.  I  have  examined  many  nests,  and 
consider  the  usual  complement  to  be  not  less  than  five  ;  frequently  six 
eggs  are  laid.  The  eggs  are  pale-blue  and  larger  than  those  of  our  com- 
mon pigeon.  This  species  feeds  much  more  frequently  on  insects  than 
other  of  the  herons  that  reside  with  us.  Nuttall  writes  of  the  Green 
Heron  in  the  following  language  :  "  He  is  also  particularly  attracted  by 
artificial  ponds  for  fish,  not  refraining  even  to  visit  gardens  and  domes- 
tic premises  which  any  prospect  of  fare  may  offer.  He  is,  at  the  same 
time,  perhaps  as  much  in  quest  of  the  natural  enemy  of  the  fish,  the 
frog,  as  of  the  legitimate  tenants  of  the  pond.  These  bold  and  intrusive 
visits  are  commonly  made  early  in  the  morning,  or  towards  twilight,  and 
he  not  unfrequently.  when  pressed  by  hunger,  or  after  ill-success,  turns 
out  to  hunt  his  fare  by  day  as  well  as  dusk,  and,  at  such  times,  collects 
various  larvae,  particularly  those  of  the  dragon-fly,  with  grasshoppers 
and  different  kinds  of  insects.  At  other  times  he  preys  upon  small  fish, 
crabs  and  frogs,  for  which  he  often  lies  patiently  in  wait  till  they  reap- 
pear from  their  hiding  places  in  the  water  or  mud,  and  on  being  trans- 
fixed and  caught,  which  is  effected  with  great  dexterity,  they  are  com- 
monly beaten  to  death,  if  large,  and  afterwards  swallowed  at  leisure." 

Fourteen  birds,  examined  by  me,  were  found  to  have  fed  on  the  differ- 
ent materials  named  below : 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1 

June  —  .  1879, 

Barnegat.  N.  J  

Beetles  and  other  insects. 

Oct.    10.  1879,      .... 

Chester  county.  Pa  

"  Fall-fish." 

3 

April  29,  1880  

Chester  county.  Pa  

Frog  and  minnows. 

4 
5 

April  29,  1879  
May    12,  1880.      . 

Chester  county.  Pa.  
Chester  county,  Pa  

Fragments  of  insects  and  small  quantity  of 
•hair,  probably  that  of  a  ileld-mouse. 
Beetles. 

6 

July     3.  1880  

Delaware  county.  Pa.  .      .   . 

Frog. 

June  30.  1881  

Chester  county,  Pa  

Remains  of  small  fishes. 

8 

Aug.  17,  1881  

Chester  county,  Pa  

Beetles  and  other  insects. 

9 

May  14.  1882  

Lancaster  county.  Pa.  .     .   . 

Fishes  and  frogs. 

10 

July  29,  1882  

Chestercounty,  Pa  

Remains  of  small  fishes.  * 

11 

July  29,  1882  

.Chestercounty,  Pa  

Remains  of  small  fishes.  * 

12 

July  29,  1882  

Chestercounty.  Pa  

Remains  of  small  fishes.  * 

13 

July  29,  1882  

Chestercounty.  Pa  

Remains  of  small  fishes.  * 

14 

Sept.    4.  1883  

York  county,  Pa  

Dipterous  and  other  insects. 

Four  young  birds  taken  from  the  nest. 


GENUS  NYCTICORAX  STEPHENS. 
Nycticorax  nycticorax  neevius  (BODD.). 

Black-crowned  Night  Heron  ;  Squawk  ;  Night-hen. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  6'). 

Bill  very  stout  and  thick  ;  maxilla  slightly  curved  ;  bill  and  tarsus  each  about  3 
inches  long;  head  and  neck  large,  the  latter  quite  short;  body  rather  short  and 
heavy. 

Adult.— Length  about  25  inches  ;  alar  extent,  about  44  ;  bill  black  ;  lores  greenish- 
yellow  ;  eyes  red  ;  legs  yellowish  ;  top  of  head  and  middle  of  back  glossy-greenish 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  65 

black  (sometimes  dull  black  with  little  or  no  greenish)  ;  a  narrow  stripe  on  fore- 
head reaching  to  eye  ;  sides  of  head,  chin,  throat  and  under  parts  white,  of  ten  tinged 
with  a  faint  yellowish  or  a  very  delicate  light  purple  color :  wings  and  tail  ashy- 
blue  ;  neck,  except  in  front,  similar  but  paler.  The  adults  frequently  have  3  long 
and  white  occipital  feathers,  which,  when  rolled  together,  appear  as  one  thick  round 
feather. 

Youny.— Bill  (dried  skin)  black  and  yellowish  ;  iris  light  yellow  ;  legs  yellowish  ; 
upper  parts  light-brown,  spotted  or  streaked  with  whitish  ;  tail  about  same  as  adult ; 
sides  of  head  and  neck,  and  under  plumage  generally,  striped  with  whitish  and 
dusky.  A  young  bird  before  me  differs  from  the  last  chiefly  in  having  top  of  head 
and  large  space  on  interscapular  region,  dull  brownish-gray,  without  spots. 

Habitat. — America,  from  the  British  possessions  southward  to  the  Falkland 
Islands,  including  part  of  the  West  Indies. 

Next  to  the  Green  Heron  the  Night  Heron  is  unquestionably  the 
most  abundant  of  the  family  in  this  state.  The  adult  birds  are  easily 
distinguished  from  other  herons  by  the  black  feathers  on  top  of  head 
and  back,  red  eyes,  and  frequently  three  long,  fine,  white  feathers, 
which  grow  from  the  base  of  the  head.  The  appellation,  Night  Heron, 
is  highly  appropriate,  as  this  bird  is  strictly  nocturnal  in  its  habits. 
During  the  daytime  the  Night  Heron  is  inactive,  and  generally  is  found 
perched  on  a  log  or  the  limb  of  a  tree  in  a  quiet  nook  about  the  swamps 
and  streams.  As  twilight  approaches  this  drowsy  wader  becomes,  as  it 
were,  a  new  being — impelled,  no  doubt,  by  the  pangs  of  hunger — he 
stands  erect,  the  loose  and  shaggy  plumage,  which  before  seemed  ill- 
adapted  to  his  body,  now  fits  neat  and  closely  as  he  carefully  walks  to 
the  extremity  of  the  dead  and  decorticated  limb  on  which  he  has  been 
dozing,  and  suddenly  with  a  loud  squaivk  launches  himself  into  the  air, 
uttering  at  short  intervals  his  harsh  note,  and,  rising  above  the  trees  of 
the  forest,  he  speedily  visits  some  favorite  mill-dam.  These  birds  arrive 
in  Pennsylvania  about  the  25th  of  April  and  remain  until  the  latter  part 
of  September.  They  seem  to  repair  at  once  on  their  arrival  in  spring  to 
localities  where  they  are  accustomed  to  breed.  After  the  breeding  sea- 
son, i.  e.,  about  the  middle  of  August,  when  the  young  are  amply  able  to 
provide  for  themselves  these  birds  forsake  their  nesting-places  and 
become  quite  plentiful  along  the  rivers,  streams  and  bushy  marshes. 
The  Night  Heron  rarely,  if  ever,  breeds  singly,  but  always  in  large 
companies.  I  have  visited,  on  different  occasions,  two  of  these  breeding 
resorts  and  found  from  twenty -five  to  seventy-five  nests,  which  like  those 
of  the  other  species,  were  built  of  sticks  and  placed  usually  In  high 
trees.  In  Berks  county,  near  Blue  Rock,  for  many  years,  this  species 
annually  reared  their  young  in  the  edge  of  a  large  woods  along  the 
margin  of  which  was  a  good-sized  stream.  In  this  place  many  of  the 
nests  were  built  in  a  bunch  of  saplings,  some  fifteen  or  twenty  feet  high 
and  so  small  in  diameter  that  it  was  impossible  to  climb  them.  Wilson 
has  very  properly  said  that  the  noise  of  the  old  and  young  in  one  of 
these  breeding-places  would  induce  one  to  suppose  that  two  or  three 
hundred  Indians  were  choking  or  throttling  each  other.  The  same 
5  BIRDS. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


writer,  in  referring  to  examinations  which  he  made,  states  that  the  teeth 
of  the  pectinated  claw  were  thirty-five  or  forty  in  number,  and,  as  they 
contained  particles  of  the  down  of  the  bird,  showed  evidently  from  this 
circumstance  that  they  act  the  part  of  a  comb  to  rid  the  bird  of  vermin 
in  those  parts  which  it  cannot  reach  with  its  bill.  The  late  Isaac  G. 
Darlington,  of  West  Chester,  some  years  ago,  had  large  numbers  of 
gold-fishes  in  a  pond  near  his  residence.  One  day  Mr.  Darlington 
caught  twenty-five  of  these  fish  and  placed  them  in  a  small  pool,  intend- 
ing to  remove  them  the  following  morning.  About  bedtime,  Mr.  D. 
said,  I  heard  a  loud  squawking,  and  on  going  out  saw  two  Night  Herons 
actively  engaged  in  catching  these  fish.  I  shot  one  of  these  robbers, 
which  you  there  see  mounted,  on  the  book-case,  and  on  making  an  in- 
vestigaton  found  only  one  of  the  fish  remaining.  "An  incident  may 
illustrate  the  habits  of  the  Night  Heron,  and  perhaps  of  the  whole 
family.  A  Night  Heron  had  been  noticed  for  several  days  sitting  on  a 
tree  near  a  branch  of  White  Clay  creek.  It  was  at  length  shot  and 
brought  to  me,  with  the  tail  of  a  large  fish  projecting  four  inches  beyond 
its  bill.  On  removing  the  fish  (a  sucker  Catostomus,  which  must  have 
been  twelve  inches  long),  its  head  and  shoulders — except  the  bony  por- 
tions— were  eaten  away  by  the  gastric  liquor  of  the  stomach." — Michener. 
I  have  examined  the  stomachs  of  twenty  odd  of  these  herons,  adult  and 
young,  which  have  been  shot  in  June  at  the  breeding-grounds,  and  found 
in  all  only  the  remains  of  fishes.  In  two  or  three  immature  birds,  taken 
in  August  and  September,  I  have  discovered  a  few  grasshoppers  and 
portions  of  insects. 

NOTE. — The  Yellow-crowned  Night  Heron  (N.  violaceus)  which  is 
found  in  eastern  North  America,  "from  the  Carolinas  and  the  lower 
Ohio  valley  south  to  Brazil,"  has  not,  within  the  last  twenty  years,  to 
my  knowledge  been  observed  in  Pennsylvania.  Dr.  Turnbull,  *  writing 
of  this  species  says:  "A  rare  straggler  from  the  south.  It  has  been  seen 
on  the  borders  of  the  Schuylkill  near  Philadelphia." 

*  Birds  of  Kast  Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey,  published  in  1869. 


Plate  15. 


Red- tailed  Hawk. 
L  Male:  2.  Female. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  67 

ORDER  PALUDICOLJI.    RAILS,  ETC. 

SUBORDER  RALLI.     KAILS,  COOTS,  ETC, 
FAMILY  RALLID-flC.     RAILS,  GALLINULES  AND  COOTS. 

SUBFAMILY  RALLIN-5!      RAILS. 
THE  RAILS. 

Six  species  are  found  in  Pennsylvania  either  as  summer  residents,  spring  and  fall 
migrants  or  casual  visitants.  These  birds  are  difficult  to  flush,  and  when  started  they 
fly  usually  in  a  feeble  manner,  going  mostly  but  a  short  distance  when  they  alight 
and  hide  in  the  thick  vegetation  abounding  in  the  marshes  and  swampy  places 
which  they  inhabit  almost  habitually.  Rails,  when  surprised  in  their  marshy  re- 
treats, seem  to  prefer  to  escape  by  skulking  in  the  reeds  and  grasses,  but  if  closely 
pressed  they  make  short  flights,  dropdown  suddenly,  and  secrete  themselves  or  run 
with  outstretched  wings  over  extensive  spaces  of  water,  on  which  scattered  leaves, 
blades  of  grass,  or  twigs,  are  resting.  Rails,  when  wounded,  particularly  if  winged, 
frequently  escape  by  swimming.  It  is  surprising  how  rapidly  these  slender-toed 
birds  can  escape  in  this  manner ;  they  also  are  quite  expert  in  diving,  and  some- 
times to  escape  their  enemies  will  remain  for  a  considerable  time  under  the  water — 
clinging  by  the  long  toes  to  plants — with  only  the  bills  above  the  surface.  Rails  lay 
six  to  twelve  whitish,  yellowish,  or  grayish  and  spotted  eggs,  in  shallow  nests  built 
of  blades  of  grass,  reeds  or  small  sticks,  supported  by  tough  grasses  or  rushes  in 
ponds  and  marshes.  The  downy  young  of  the  King,  Virginia,  Clapper  and  Sora 
Rails  are  black.  These  birds  feed  largely  on  seeds,  the  tender  leaves  and  buds  of 
various  water  plants.  They  also  eat  cray-fish,  worms,  beetles  and  other  insects. 
The  Clapper  (on  salt-water  marshes  of  Atlantic  coast)  and  Sora  Rails,  which  are 
killed  in  great  numbers  by  sportsmen,  are  very  highly  esteemed  game  birds.  The 
other  species,  equally  as  palatable,  but  with  the  exception  of  occasional  examples  of 
the  King  and  Virginia  Rails,  are  seldom  seen  in  our  markets.  The  Sora,  and  scatter- 
ing individuals  of  other  species,  particularly  the  Virginia  and  King  Rails,  are 
often  found,  in  August  and  early  in  September,  in  considerable  numbers,  in  suita- 
ble locations,  in  different  parts  of  this  state.  Sometimes  during  cloudy  weather,  at 
twilight  and  often  in  the  night,  particularly  in  the  spring  and  breeding  season,  the 
loud,  grating  cries  of  these  birds  are  heard  in  the  meadows  and  marshes.  In  the 
genus  Rallus  the  slender  and  slightly  curved  bill  is  much  longer  than  the  head  : 
maxilla,  particularly  in  the  King  Rail  (elegans)  and  Clapper  Rail  (crepitans)  with 
long  and  rather  deep  furrows,  which  start  above  and  behind  the  linear  nostrils  and 
extend  beyond  basal  half  of  bill.  In  Porzana  the  bill,  shorter  than  head,  is  straight 
and  thick  with  rather  short,  broad  fossae,  deepest  in  front  of  the  narrow  nostrils. 
The  head  is  feathered  in  front,  i.  e.,  no  broad  horny  frontal  plate  as  in  Coot  and  Gal- 
linules;  tibiae  naked  below ;  toes,  long  and  slender,  without  lobes  or  marginal  mem- 
branes, and  the  wings  are  short  and  round.  The  tail  has  twelve  short  feathers. 

GENUS  RALLUS  LINNAEUS. 
Rallus  elegans  A.UD. 

King  Rail;  Big  Red  Rail. 

DESCRIPTION. 

I <nilt.— Length  18  inches;  extent  about  25.     Bill  little  over  2  inches  long.     Bill 
(dried  skin)  maxilla  blackish-brown,  lower  mandible  paler,  darker  toward  end  ; 


68  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


legs  and  bare  parts  of  tibiae  brownish  ;  iris  reddish.  A  pale  streak  from  base  of 
maxilla  runs  back  over  eye  ;  lores  dusky ;  top  of  head  and  back  of  neck  dark- 
brownish,  almost  black  ;  spot  on  lower  eyelid,  chin,  most  of  throat,  some  feathers  on 
edge  of  wing  also  some  under  tail  coverts,  white  ;  sides  and  front  of  neck  and  breast 
bright  rufous,  growing  paler  below,  belly  in  same  birds  is  nearly  white ;  wing- 
coverts  similar  to  breast  but  darker.  Feathers  of  upper  parts  generally,  are  mostly 
brownish-black,  edged  with  olive-brown  ;  lower  part  of  abdomen,  flanks  and  axillars 
blackish,  with  conspicuous  transverse  white  bars. 

Habitat.—  Fresh-water  marshes  of  the  eastern  province  of  the  United  States,  from 
the  Middle  States,  northern  Illinois,  Wisconsin  and  Kansas  southward.  Casually 
north  to  Massachusetts,  Maine  and  Ontario. 

Spring  and  fall  migrant.  Most  frequently  seen  in  fall,  and  much  less 
common  than  either  the  Virginia  or  Sora  Rails.  Always  observed  singly 
or  in  pairs ;  often  in  same  swamps  with  Sora  and  Virginia  Bail  during 
migrations.  Probably  a  regular  breeder  in  some  of  our  extensive 
swamps  and  marshes.  Specimens  of  this  species  have  been  shot  by 
Messrs.  James  and  Scott  Thompson,  in  the  late  summer  and  early 
autumn,  in  the  neighborhood  of  Erie  city,  and  Mr.  Georg-e  B.  Sennett 
has  observed  it  in  Erie  county  as  a  spring  migrant.  Dr.  John  W.  Det- 
willer,  of  Northampton  county,  has  found  nests  of  this,  also  the  Sora 
and  Little  Red  Rail  in  Pennsylvania.  Hon.  Gerard  C.  Brown,  York 
county ;  A.  T.  Lilley,  Bradford  county ;  Dr.  A.  C.  Treichler,  Lancaster 
county ;  D.  Frank  Keller,  of  Berks  county,  and  Dr.  Van  Fleet,  Clinton 
county,  state  that  the  King  Rail  occurs  in  their  localities  as  a  straggler. 
During  the  past  ten  years  I  have  obtained  in  Delaware,  Philadelphia 
and  Chester  counties  about  a  dozen  birds  of  this  species ;  two  of  these 
were  killed  in  spring  and  the  others  in  August  and  September.  The 
nest,  a  rude  platform  of  grasses,  weeds,  etc.,  is  placed  on  the  ground  or 
in  a  tussock  of  grass  above  the  water,  in  a  marsh.  The  eggs  measure 
about  1.65  x  1.20,  and  are  dull  creamy  white,  dotted  and  blotched  with 
reddish-brown  and  light-purple. 


Rallus  longirostris  crepitans  (GMEL.). 

Clapper  Rail ;  Mud  Hen. 

DESCRIPTION. 

This  bird  is  similar  in  form  but  somewhat  smaller  than  R.  elegans  which  it  re- 
sembles in  general  appearance,  but  lacking  the  bright  rufous  as  well  as  other  darker 
colors  of  the  King  Rail. 

A dttW.— Bill.averages  a  trifle  longer  than  eleqans.  Length  about  sixteen  inches;  bill 
(dried  skin),  upper  half  of  maxilla  brownish,  rest  of  maxilla  except  end  which  is 
brownish,  and  most  of  lower  mandible  pale  yellowish  brown  ;  legs  grayish-yellow 
brown  ;  iris  brownish.  Top  of  head,  back  of  neck  and  upper  parts  generally  gray- 
ish-olive brown  ;  feathers  have  dark  centers  and  paler  margins  ;  chin,  upper  throat, 
streak  over  eye,  spot  on  under  eye-lid,  and  middle  of  abdomen  whitish ;  sides, 
flanks,  under  wing  coverts  and  axillars  dusky  grayish-brown,  barred  with  white  ; 
greater  part  of  neck  in  front,  sides  of  same,  and  lores,  ashy-gray  ;  breast  grayish- 
white,  with  a  pale  reddish-yellow  tinge  ;  this  latter  color  in  specimen  before  me  is 
well  shown  on  front  of  neck. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


H abitat.—  Salt  marshes  of  the  Atlantic  coast  of  the  United  States,  from  New  Jersey 
southward ;  resident  from  the  Potomac  southward,  casually  north  to  Massachusetts. 

The  Clapper  Rail  or  Mud-hen  is  the  noisy  game  bird  which  is  often 
killed  in  such  great  numbers  about  the  salt-water  marshes  in  the  neigh- 
borhood of  Atlantic  City,  New  Jersey.  In  Pennsylvania  this  rail  has 
been  found  as  a  very  rare,  or,  more  probably,  accidental  visitor.  The 
late  Judge  Libhart  records  the  capture  of  one  in  Lancaster  county  by 
Mr.  G.  W.  Hensel ;  and  Dr.  Detwiller  has  also  taken  it  in  the  state.  A 
bird  of  this  species  was  shot  near  Chester  city,  Delaware  county,  Sep- 
tember, 1880,  by  ex-Sheriff  George  E.  Hoopes,  of  West  Chester  and 
presented  to  me. 

Rallus  virginianus  LINN. 

Virginia  Rail ;  Little  Red  Rail. 

DESCRIPTION  {Plate  78). 

Much  smaller  than  either  the  Clapper  or  King  Rails,  but  resembling  them  in  form 
and  resembling  also  R.  elegans  in  colors. 

Adult. — Nine  or  ten  inches  long  and  about  fourteen  in  extent.  Specimen  before 
me  has  sides  of  head  mostly  grayish-ashy,  little  or  no  white  about  lower  eye-lid, 
otherwise  same  as  King  Rail  previously  described.  Specimens  are  occasionally 
taken  in  which  the  neck  and  breast  are  more  or  less  black. 

Habitat.—  North  America,  from  British  provinces  and  south  to  Guatemala  and 
Cuba. 

Notwithstanding  the  fact  that  the  plumage  of  the  Virginia  and  King 
Rails  is  similar,  the  species  can  readily  be  distinguished  by  the  great 
difference  in  size,  the  Virginia  Bail  being  only  about  one-third  as  large 
as  the  King  Bail.  This  species  arrives  in  Pennsylvania  by  the  first  of 
May  and  remains  with  us  until  the  middle  of  October — specimens  have 
been  killed  during  the  first  week  in  November.  These  birds,  although 
only  occasionally  observed,  are,  I  am  certain,  much  more  plentiful  about 
our  large  swamps  and  marshy  river  borders  than  it  is  usually  supposed. 
Frequenting,  as  they  do  at  all  times,  however,  marshy  districts,  which  are 
thickly  covered  with  various  grasses,  bushes,  reeds,  etc.,  it  is  rather  ex- 
ceptional to  see  them.  Like  all  the  rails,  they  are  shy  and  timid.  If  ap- 
proached they  seldom  fly,  but  run  rapidly  and  quickly  conceal  themselves 
among  the  thick  tussocks  or  other  suitably  cover.  They  are  seemingly 
in  no  way  impeded  in  making  their  retreat  even  across  large-sized  spaces 
of  water  on  which  are  floating  a  few  blades  of  grass,  leaves  or  twigs, 
over  which  they  run  with  the  same  celerity  as  when  on  the  ground.  The 
nest,  a  frail  structure  consisting  mainly  of  grass,  is  built  commonly  in  a 
tussock  located  generally  in  the  most  inaccessible  portion  of  the  swamp. 
The  eggs,  it  is  said,  vary  in  number  from  six  to  ten  and  are  dirty  white, 
with  numerous  spots  and  different  shades  of  brown.  Nuttall  says: 
"  The  female  is  so  much  attached  to  her  eggs,  after  sitting,  as  sometimes 
to  allow  of  being  taken  up  by  the  hand  rather  than  desert  the  premises, 


70 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


which  affection  appears  the  more  necessary  as  the  male  seems  to  desert 
his  mate  and  leave  her  in  the  sole  charge  of  her  little  family." 

The  Yirginia  Bail  breeds  in  Chester  and  Delaware  counties.  Prof. 
August  Kock  writes  as  follows  of  the  species  in  Ly coming  county : 
"  Breeds  sparingly,  and  I  think  in  single  pairs,  at  least  I  have  never 
found  more  than  one  family  in  a  locality."  In  the  counties  of  Clinton, 
Clearfield  and  Northumberland,  Dr.  Yan  Fleet  says  this  rail  breeds  quite 
regularly.  In  other  counties  the  Little  Bed  Kail  is  reported  to  me  by 
the  following  gentlemen,  either  as  an  occasional,  or  regular,  but  not 
common  summar  visitant :  Lancaster,  Dr.  A.  0.  Treichler ;  Philadelphia, 
Rev.  Jos.  Johnson;  Cumberland,  T.  L.  Neff;  Luzerne,  Dr.  W.  L.  Hart- 
man;  Lehigh,  J.  F.  Kocher;  Berks,  D.  F.  Keller;  Susquehamia,  Dr.  H. 
A.  Tingley.  The  food  materials  of  eleven  birds,  of  this  species,  are 
given  in  the  following  table : 


No. 

DATK. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATKKIALS. 

1 

Delaware  county.  Pa  

Beetles. 

2 

Sept   15    1879 

Philadelphia  Market,  Pa 

Insects  and  small  seeds 

3 

Sept    15,  1879,         

Philadelphia  Market,  Pa  

Fragments  of  beetles. 

4 
5 

(j 

May    13,  1880  
May    30,  1880  
July    20,  1882,   . 

Chester  county.  Pa  
Chester  county.  Pa  
Chester  county,  Pa  

Earth-worms. 
Beetles  and  vegetable  matter. 
Beetles. 

7 

Oct       5,  1882, 

Delaware  county.  Pa.  . 

Insects  and  small  seeds 

8 
9 
10 

Aug.   14.  1883  
Sept.    2,  1884  
Sept.    2.  1884  

Wilmington,  Del  
Delaware  county,  Pa  
Delaware  county.  Pa  

Beetles. 
Beetles. 
Small  '  '  worms." 

11 

Sept.     2,  1884  

Delaware  county,  Pa.  ,                  .  . 

Beetles  and  seeds, 

GENUS  PORZANA  VIEILLOT. 
Porzana  Carolina  (LINN.). 

Sora;  Carolina  Rail;  Rail-bird;  Common  Rail;  "Ortolan." 

DESCRIPTION     (Plate  7). 

Length,  about  9  inches  ;  extent,  about  13  ;  bill  about  three-fourths  of  an  inch  long. 
This  species  shows  great  variations  in  plumage,  in  perfect  dress  the  sexes  are  alike. 
Young  or  immature  birds  lack  the  black  efface,  chin  and  throat ;  the  throat  and  the 
breast,  often  streaked  or  patched  with  bluish-ash,  is  brownish. 

Adult,  in  Spring. — Upper  parts  olive-brown  and  black,  and  many  feathers  spotted 
or  streaked  on  edges  with  white,  flanks  and  axillars,  barred  with  black  and  white  ; 
feathers  about  bill,  chin  and  throat  black  ;  line  over  eye,  sides  of  head,  portion  of 
neck  and  breast,  plain  lead  color ;  belly,  grayish-white  ;  under  tail  coverts,  rusty 
white ;  bill  (dried  skin)  greenish  yellow,  dark  toward  end  ;  legs  dark  greenish  ; 
iris  brown. 

Habitat.—  Temperate  North  America,  but  most  common  in  the  eastern  province, 
breeding  chiefly  northward.  South  in  winter  to  the  West  Indies  and  northern  South 
America. 

The  Carolina  Rail  and  Virginia  Rail  resemble  each  other  in  size  and 
form,  but  otherwise  are  greatly  different.  First,  they  differ  in  plumage, 
secondly,  the  bill  of  the  Carolina  Rail  is  about  three-fourths  of  an  inch 
long,  while  in  the  Virginia  Rail  this  organ  is  often  over  one  and  one- 
half  inches  in  length ;  again,  the  legs  of  the  Carolina  Rail  are  greenish- 


Plate  16. 


1.  Broad- winged  Hawk.       2,  3,  Sparrow- Hawk. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


71 


yellow,  those  of  the  Virginia  Kail  are  dull  reddish-brown.  This  species 
and  the  preceding-  may  be  said  to  be  the  only  rails  which  are  common 
in  Pennsylvania.  The  Carolina  Bail  arrives  here  about  the  first  week  in 
May.  During-  the  latter  part  of  Augnst  and  early  in  September,  it  is 
not  uncommon  to  find  these  birds  in  parties  numbering-  from  six  to 
twenty,  sometimes  many  more,*  in  swamps  and  wet  grassy  meadows. 

The  Sora  has  been  found  breeding-  in  Chester  county,  along  the  Bran- 
dywine,  and  it  occurs  in  different  localities  in  Pennsylvania  as  a  regular 
or  occasional  summer  resident.  In  Montgomery  county,  Mr.  Thomas  S. 
Gillin,  of  Ambler,  has  noted  it  as  an  occasional  breeder,  and  Mr.  George 
B.  Sennett  says  it  breeds  occasionally  in  Erie  county.  Prof.  August 
Kock  states  that  in  Lycoming  county  "  they  breed  in  small  colonies  in 
small  open  swamps,  which  are  grown  with  a  few  small  bushes."  In  Lan- 
caster county,  both  Dr.  Treichler  and  Mr.  William  N.  Buller,  mention 
the  Sora  as  a  native.  Dr.  Isaiah  R  Everhart  and  Mr.  George  P.  Friant, 
of  Scranton,  have  young  birds,  captured  in  Lackawanna  county.  Dr. 
Van  Fleet,  Clinton  county,  and  Mr.  D.  Frank  Keller,  Berks  county,  have 
found  it  breeding.  "  Eggs  8-12, 1.23  x  .89  brownish  buff,  rather  sparsely 
spotted  with  brown  and  purplish  gray." — Ridgiuay  Manual  N.  A.  Birds. 

The  food  materials  which  were  found  in  the  stomachs  of  sixteen  of  these 
birds  are  given  below : 


No. 

1 

)ATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1 

Sept.    8 

1880,  V 

Near  Chester  city,  Pa. 

Green-colored  vegetable  matter. 

2 
3 

Sept,    8 
Sept     8 

1880,  . 
1880, 

Near  Chester  city,  Pa. 
Near  Chester  city,  Pa. 

Brown-colored  seeds,  large  and  small. 
Brown  and  yellow-colored  seeds. 

4 
5 

(j 

Sept.    8 
Sept.    8 
Sept.    8 

1880,  . 
1880,  . 
1880,  . 

.   . 

Near  Chester  city,  Pa. 
Near  Chester  city,  Pa. 
Near  Chester  city,  Pa. 



Brown  and  yellow-colored  seeds. 
Yellow  seeds  and  particles  of  shells. 
Green-colored  vegetable  matter. 

7 
8 

Sept.    8 
Sept.    8 

1880.  . 
1880, 

Near  Chester  city,  Pa. 
Near  Chester  city    Pa. 

Seeds  and  other  vegetable  matter. 
Yellow-colored  seeds. 

9 
10 
11 
12 

Sept.    8 
Sept.    8 
Sept.    8 
Sept.    8 

1880,  . 
1880,  . 
1880.  . 
1880,  . 

•   • 

Near  Chester  city,  Pa. 
Near  Chester  city,  Pa. 
Near  Chester  city,  Pa. 
Near  Chester  city,  Pa. 

Yellow  and  brown-colored  seeds 
Seeds  and  other  vegetable  matter. 
Seeds  and  other  vegetable  matter. 
Seeds  and  other  vegetable  matter. 

13 
14 
15 

16 

Oct.      3 
May      3 
July    20 
Aug.  12 

1880.  . 
1882,  . 
1884,  . 
1884,  . 

•   ' 

Pocopson,  Pa  
Chester  county,  Pa.,  . 
Chester  county,  Pa., 
Chester  county,  Pa.  . 

•  •   •   ;  •' 

Black-colored  seeds. 
Small  "worms." 
Small  green  seeds. 
Beetles  and  vegetable  matter. 

Porzana  noveboracensis  (GMEL.). 


Yellow  Rail. 


DESCRIPTION. 


"  Entire  upper  parts  ochre-yellow,  with  longitudinal  wide  stripes  of  brownish- 
black  and  transverse  narrow  stripes  of  white  ;  neck  and  breast  reddish  ochre-yellow  ; 
many  feathers  tipped  with  brown  ;  middle  of  abdomen  white  ;  flanks  and  ventral 
region  with  transverse  bands  of  dark  reddish-brown  and  narrow  bands  of  white ; 
under  tail  coverts  rufous  with  small  spots  of  white  and  black  ;  under  wing-coverts 
white.  Length  (from  tip  of  bill  to  end  of  tail),  about  6  inches  ;  extent  about  13; 
wing  3^  ;  tail  If  ;  bill  \  inch."— B.  B.  of  N.  A. 

*  Mr.  James  Thompson,  of  Erie  city,  informs  me  that  upwards  of  eighty  of  these  rails  have  been  taken 
In  a  day  about  the  ponds  on  the  peninsula  at  Erie  bay.  In  these  ponds  wild  rice  grows  in  abundance,  and 
rails  as  well  as  many  other  water  birds,  resort  there  to  feed  on  the  seeds  of  this  plant. 


72  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

Habitat. — Eastern  North  America,  from  Nova  Scotia  and  Hudson's  Bay  west  to 
Utah  and  Nevada.  No  extra-limital  record  except  Cuba  and  the  Bermudas. 

Birds  of  this  species  are  occasionally  taken  about  our  rivers  and 
meadows  during-  the  spring-  and  fall  migrations.  I  have  seen  two  speci- 
mens which  were  captured  in  the  early  part  of  July,  1882,  in  Delaware 
county,  near  Chester  city.  It  is  possible  that  this  little  rail  sometimes 
breeds  in  Pennsylvania,  yet  I  have  no  positive  information  to  this  effect. 
The  egg's,  according-  to^different  writers,  vary  from  six  to  ten,  and  are 
described  as  creamy  buff,  marked  at  the  larg-er  end  with  reddish  spots, 
and  measure  about  1.13  by  .82  inches. 


Porzana  jamaicensis  (GMEL.). 

Black  Rail. 

DESCRIPTION. 

"Upper  parts  blackish,  finely  speckled  and  barred  with  white,  the  hind  neck  and 
fore  back  dark  chestnut.  Head  and  under  parts  dark  slate  color,  paler  or  whitening 
on  the  throat,  the  lower  belly,  flanks,  and  under  wing  and  tail-coverts  barred  with 
white.  Quills  and  tail-feathers  with  white  spots.  Very  small ;  length  about  5|  ; 
wing  22  to  3  ;  tail  1^ ;  tarsus  %."— Cone's  Key. 

Habitat.— Temperate  North  America,  north  to  Massachusetts,  northern  Illinois 
and  Oregon  ;  south  to  West  Indies  and  in  western  South  America  to  Chili. 

This  diminutive,  shy  and  secretive  bird — the  smallest  of  our  North 
A  Tierican  rails — is  said  to  have  been  found,  many  years  ag-o,  breeding- 
in  the  neighborhood  of  Philadelphia,  by  the  late  John  Itrider.  I  have 
seen  two  specimens  which  were  shot  in  September,  on  the  Delaware, 
near  Chester  city.  Dr.  John  W.  Detwiller,  of  Bethlehem,  has  captured 
this  species  in  his  locality;  Georg-e  R.  Ross,  of  Lebanon,  says  that 
he  has  taken  two  in  Lebanon  county,  one,  Aug-ust,  1879,  the  other  Au- 
gust, 1880.  I  have  never  seen  the  eg-g-s  of  the  Black  Rail.  Mr.  Ridg-- 
way*  says  they  number  "about  nine,  1.01  by  .79,  white  or  buffy  white? 
sprinkled,  or  finely  speckled,  chiefly  on  the  larg-er  end,  with  dark  red- 
dish-brown or  chestnut." 


SUBFAMILY  GALLINULIN.5!.     GALLINULES. 

THE  GALLINULES. 

The  Gallinnles  are  found  in  the  same  localities  as  the  rails,  to  which  they  are  quite 
similar  in  habits.  Two  species  occur  in  the  United  States,  and  both  are  found  in 
Pennsylvania.  They  have  a  broad,  bare,  and  often  highly  colored  horny  plate  on 
the  forehead  ;  bill  short  and  similar  in  shape  to  birds  of  the  genus  Porzana.  Feet 
large  and  stout;  toes  long,  "and  in  G.  galeata  with  a  slight  marginal  membrane." 
Gallinules  nest  in  marshes,  and  lay  many  yellowish  or  buff-colored  and  spotted  eggs. 

*  Manual  of  North  American  Birds,  p.  140. 


Plate  17. 


Barn  Owl. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  73 


GENUS  IONORNIS  REICHENBACH. 
lonornis  martinica  (LINN.)- 

Purple  Gallinule. 

DESCRIPTION. 

"  Head,  neck  and  under  parts  beautiful  purplish-blue,  blackening  on  the  belly, 
the  sides  and  lining  of  wings  bluish-green,  the  crissum  white.  Above,  olivaceous- 
green,  the  cervix  (hind  neck)  and  wing-coverts  tinged  with  blue.  Quills  and  tail 
feathers  blackish,  glossed  on  the  outer  webs  with  greenish.  Frontal  shield  blue  (or 
dusky)  ;  bill  carmine,  tipped  with  yellow  ;  legs  yellow.  The  young  with  the  head, 
neck  and  lower  back  brownish,  the  under  parts  mostly  white  mixed  with  ochrey. 
Length  12-14  ;  extent  about  22."— Coues. 

Habitat. — South  Atlantic  and  Gulf  States,  casually  northward  to  Maine,  N§w  York, 
Wisconsin,  etc.  ;  south  throughout  the  West  Indies  to  Brazil. 

The  Purple  Gallinule,  a  southern  species,  is  a  very  rare  and  irregular 
visitor  as  far  northward  as  Pennsylvania.  Joseph  Krider,  two  or  three 
years  ago,  had  a  specimen  which  was  taken  near  Philadelphia.  In  other 
localities  stragglers,  at  irregular  intervals,  have  also  been  captured  and 
reported  to  me  as  follows :  York  county,  Casper  Loucks  and  George 
Miller ;  Mercer  county,  S.  S.  Overmoyer ;  Luzerne  county,  Dr.  W.  L. 
Hartman. 

GENUS  GALLJNTJLA  BRISSON. 
Gallinula  galeata  ( LIGHT.). 

Florida  Gallinule  ;  Blue  Rail. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  66). 

Adult. — Length  about  14  mches  ;  extent  about  20  inches;  general  color  grayish- 
black,  darkest  on  head  and  upper  hind  neck  ;  lightest,  and  sometimes  quite  white 
on  abdomen  ;  middle  of  back,  brownish-olive ;  edge  of  wing,  outer  edge  of  first 
primary,  some  of  under  tail-coverts,  and  stripes  on  the  Hunks,  white.  Frontal  plate 
and  ring  about  lower  part  of  tibiae  red  (the  red  color  on  frontal  plate  and  tibiae  is 
oftentimes  hardly  noticeable  in  specimens  taken  in  autumn  and  in  immature  birds 
the  frontal  shield  is  rudimentary,  and  the  bill  is  brownish).  Bill  red  with  yellow 
end  ;  legs  greenish-yellow  ;  iris  brown.  The  young  have  much  white  or  whitish 
on  under  parts. 

Habitat. — Temperate  and  tropical  America,  from  Canada  to  Brazil  and  Chili. 

Regular,  but  rather  rare  spring  and  fall  migrant.  Probably  breeds. 
Reports  which  I  have  received  from  twenty-two  naturalists  and  collec- 
tors residing  in  different  counties  of  the  northern,  southern,  eastern, 
western  and  central  parts  of  the  state,  show  that  the  species  is  generally 
distributed  in  suitable  localities  throughout  the  commonwealth.  All  of 
my  informants  mention  this  Gallinule — called  by  sportsmen  Blue  Rail- 
as  a  straggler  or  very  rare  migrant.  The  Messrs.  Baird  mentions  this 
species  as  a  rare  native  in  Cumberland  county.  Their  food,  according 
to  Audobon,  "consists  of  grasses,  seeds,  water  insects,  worms  and  snails, 
along  with  which  they  swallow  a  good  deal  of  sand  or  gravel." 


74  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1 

May  11.  1879.  . 

Chester  county,  Pa  

Vegetable  matter  (green-colored). 

2 
3 
4 

Sept.  8.  1880  
Sept.  15,  1880  
Oct.  20,  1883  

Near  Chester  city,  Pa  
Near  Chester  city.  Pa.,     .  .-  . 
Philadelphia,  Market,  Pa  .    . 

Seeds. 
Seeds  and  green-colored  vegetable  matter. 
Black-colored  seeds. 

In  addition  to  the  examinations  given  in  the  above  table,  I  found  in 
the  gizzards  of  five  of  these  birds,  which  were  killed  in  Florida,  in 
March,  1885,  numerous  small  yellow  and  brown  seeds ;  also  the  stems 
and  leaves  of  different  kinds  of  aquatic  plants. 

SUBFAMILY  FULICIN^B-    COOTS. 

THE  COOTS. 

Only  one  species  of  this  subfamily  is  found  in  the  United  States.  Coots  frequent 
the  same  localities  in  which  are  found  the  rails  and  gallinules.  They  resemble  in 
many  ways  their  near  relatives,  the  gallinules,  from  which,  however,  they  can 
easily  be  recognized  by  the  large  semicircular  lobes  on  front  toes.  Coots  spend 
much  of  their  time  in  the  water,  in  which  they  swim  and  dive  with  ease. 


GENUS  FULICA  LINN^US. 
Pulica  americana  GMEL. 

American  Coot ;  Mud-hen;  Crow  Duck. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plates.) 

Adult,  in  spring. — Bill  short,  thick  and  white  or  nearly  so;  frontal  plate  and  spot 
near  end  of  each  mandible  reddish-brown  ;  head  and  neck  black ;  edge  of  wing, 
tips  of  secondaries,  and  some  of  lower  tail-coverts  white ;  rest  of  plumage  dark 
grayish-lead  color,  lighter  on  belly  than  elsewhere ;  eyes  reddish  or  brown ;  legs 
dark  greenish-yellow  ;  length  about  14  inches  ;  extent  about  28.  The  young  of  this 
species  are  similar  but  everywhere  much  paler  in  color. 

Habitat. — North  America,  from  Greenland  and  Alaska,  southward  to  the  West 
Indies  and  Central  America. 

The  American  Coot,  commonly  known  in  eastern  Pennsylvania  as  Mud- 
hen,*  breeds  in  various  localities  throughout  its  extensive  range.  In  the 
British  Provinces  it  is  said  to  be  quite  a  common  summer  resident.  Mr. 
Samuels  remarks  that  it  breeds  probably  in  all  the  New  England  Stater. 
Dr.  Coues  has  found  it  breeding  in  northern  Montana  and  Dakota.  Mr. 
H.  W.  Henshaw  found  them  to  be  very  numerous  at  the  alkali  lakes, 
southern  Colorado,  where,  according  to  this  eminent  authority,  "  they 
breed  in  colonies  among  the  rushes,  the  nests  often  being  but  a  few  feet 
apart.  These  are  very  bulky  structures,  composed  of  weeds  and  rushes 
raised  to  a  height  of  several  inches  from  the  surface  of  the  water,  so  that 
the  eggs  are  kept  perfectly  dry,  and  are  moored  to  the  stems  of  the  sur- 

*  The  vernacular  name  of  Mud-hen  is  also  given  to  the  Clapper  Rail  (Rallus  longirostris  crepitans— 
Qmel. )  which  breeds  so  abundantly  in  the  extensive  marshes  about  Atlantic  City  and  elsewhere  on  the 
Atlantic  coast  in  New  Jersey  and  southward. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  75 


rounding-  reeds."  During-  the  winter  months  coots  may  be  seen  in  large 
flocks  along-  the  St.  John's  river,  Florida ;  at  "  Mud  Lake,"  about  ten 
miles  north  of  Sanford,  I  have  seen  over  a  thousand  in  one  flock. 

The  coot  is  found  throug-hout  Pennsylvania  as  a  common  spring-  and 
fall  migrant — April,  September  and  October — frequenting-  usually 
sloughs,  pools  and  sluggish  streams.  They  generally  are  much  more 
numerous  in  autumn  than  in  spring ;  and  at  Erie  bay  these  birds  are 
frequently  seen,  especially  in  the  fall,  in  flocks,  swimming  among  the 
reeds  and  rank  grasses  near  the  shore.  I  have  never  observed  the  coot 
in  Pennsylvania  in  the  breeding  season,  and  am  quite  certain  it  seldom 
breeds  here.  Lists  of  birds  received  by  me  from  naturalists  and  collec- 
tors, residing  in  all  but  five  or  six  counties  of  the  commonwealth,  with 
two  exceptions,  show  that  the  coot  has  been  noted  only  as  a  spring  and 
fall  visitor.  That  it  has  been  found  breeding  in  at  least  two  localities, 
there  appears  to  be  no  doubt,  as  both  Mr.  S.  S.  Overmoyer,  of  Mercer 
county,  and  Dr.  John  W.  Detwiller,  of  Northampton  county,  mention  it 
as  a  native.  "Eggs,  about  a  dozen,  1.75  to  2.00  long  by  1.20  to  1.35  broad, 
shaped  like  an  average  hen's  egg,  clear  clay -color,  uniformly  and  min- 
utely dotted  with  dark  brown,  the  spots  usually  mere  pin-heads,  some- 
times large  blotches.  The  nest  is  sometimes  on  dry  ground  a  little  way 
from  water.  The  young  hatch  covered  with  black  down,  fantastically 
striped  with  bright  orange-red,  with  vermillion  bill  tipped  with  black." — 
Coues. 

Audubon  states  that  its  food  consists  of  seeds,  grasses,  small  fishes,, 
worms,  snails  and  insects,  along  with  which  it  introduces  into  its  stom- 
ach a  good  quantity  of  rather  coarse  sand.  Nuttall  observes  that  they 
feed  principally  on  aquatic  vegetable  substances,  as  seeds,  leaves,  etc. 
In  March,  1885,  I  obtained  seventeen  coots  at  Little  Lake  George, 
Florida,  and  found  in  the  stomachs  of  all  only  small  seeds,  blades  of 
grass,  with,  in  most  every  instance,  a  small  quantity  of  sand  or  gravel. 
Six  of  these  birds,  which  I  have  obtained  in  Chester  county,  Pa.,  had 
only  vegetable  materials,  small  black  and  yellow  seeds,  also  sand  in 
their  muscular  gizzards. 


ORDER  LIMICOLJ1.    SHORE  BIRDS. 

FAMILY  PHALAROPODHXffi.     PHALAROPES. 

THE  PHALAROPES. 

Three  species  of  this  family  are  found  in  the  United  States,  and  two,  at  least,  occur 
more  or  less  regularly  in  Pennsylvania.  Although  these  birds  resemble,  in  many 
respects,  the  sandpipers,  they  can  readily  be  distinguished  from  the  latter  by  the 
curious  lobate  feet,  like  those  of  the  grebes  and  coot,  previously  described.  Phala- 
ropes,  the  smallest  of  our  swimming  birds,  spend  much  of  their  time  in  the  water, 
on  which  they  swim  in  an  easy  and  graceful  manner.  The  under  plumage  is  com- 


76  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


pact  like  a  duck's  to  resist  water.  These  birds  undergo  marked  changes  of  plumage 
with  age  and  season.  The  bills,  as  well  as  the  marginal  membranes  of  the  toes,  all 
differ  in  slight  particulars,  but  the  toes  in  all  these  species  are  united  by  basal  webs. 
Two  species  are  recorded  as  breeding  only  in  the  Arctic  regions,  but  they  all  migrate 
southward  in  winter  and  two,  at  least,  penetrate  to  the  tropical  countries.  The 
Phalaropes,  it  is  stated,  nest  on  the  ground,  and  lay  three  or  four  olive-buff  or  pale 
grayish-buff  colored  eggs,  spotted  with  different  shades  of  brown.  These  peculiar 
birds,  combining  as  they  do  to  a  certain  degree,  both  the  habits  and  appearance  of 
certain  waders  and  swimmers,  frequent  both  salt  and  fresh  water.  Their  tood,  it 
is  said,  consists  principally  of  aquatic  insects,  worms,  molusca,  etc. 

GENUS  PHALAROPUS  BRISSON. 
P halar opus  lobatus  ( LINN.  ) . 

Northern  Phalarope. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Length  about  1\  inches  ;  extent  about  14  ;  bill  and  legs  blackish  ;  iris  brown  ;  the 
bill,  less  than  an  inch  long,  is  straight  and  pointed  ;  the  wings  are  long,  and  the  tail 
is  short  and  rounded  ;  membrane  of  toes  scolloped  at  joints. 

"  Winter  plumage  (adult).— Forehead,  superciliary  stripe,  sides  of  head  and  neck 
with  lower  parts  generally  pure  white  ;  top  of  head  grayish,  the  feathers  with  dusky 
shaft-streaks  and  whitish  borders  ;  a  blackish  spot  in  front  of  eye  and  side  of  head, 
from  beneath  eye,  across  ear-coverts  mixed  dusky  and  grayish-white  ;  upper  parts 
chiefly  grayish  ;  sides  of  chest  washed  or  clouded  with  grayish. 

"  Young.—  Top  of  head  dusky,  with  or  without  streaks  ;  back  and  scapulars  black- 
ish, distinctly  bordered  with  buff  or  ochraceous  ;  middle  wing-coverts  bordered  with 
buff  or  whitish  ;  forehead,  supra-auricular  stripe,  lores  and  lower  parts  white,  the 
chest  and  sides  of  breast  sometimes  suffused  with  dull  brownish  ;  ear-coverts 
dusky." — Ridgway  Manual  of  N.  A.  Birds. 

Habitat.— Northern  portions  of  northern  hemisphere,  breeding  in  Arctic  latitudes  ; 
south  in  winter  to  the  tropics. 

At  Erie  bay  and  about  the  lake  shore  in  Erie  county  this  phalarope 
is  found  as  a  rather  regular  but  not  common  migrant,  seen  most  fre- 
quently in  the  fall.  In  other  sections  of  the  state  the  Northern  Phala- 
rope is  a  rare  and  irregular  visitor.  Prof.  August  Kock  has  observed  it 
in  Ly coming  county  as  a  "rare  migrant."  Stragglers  have  also  been 
captured,  at  irregular  intervals,  during  recent  years,  about  the  rivers 
Delaware,  Susquehanna  and  Ohio. 

Phalaropus  tricolor  (VIEILL.)* 

Wilson's  Phalarope. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Length  about  9  inches ;  extent  about  15£  inches  ;  bill  and  legs  black  ;  iris  dark- 
brown  ;  bill  about  1£  inches  long,  cylindrical,  tapering,  slender  and  acute  ;  lateral 
membrane  of  all  the  toes  even  or  unscolloped. 

"Winter  plumage. — Above  plain  ash-gray  ;  upper  tail-coverts  superciliary  stripe 
and  lower  parts  white,  the  chest  and  sides  of  breast  shaded  with  pale-gray. 

"Young. — Top  of  head,  back  and  scapulars  dusky  blackish,  the  feathers  distinctly 
bordered  with  buff;  wing-coverts  also  bordered  with  pale  buff  or  whitish  ;  upper 
tail-coverts  superciliary  stripe  and  lower  parts  white,  the  neck  tinged  with  buff." — 
Ridgway's  Manual  of  N.  A.  Birds. 


Plate  18. 


Screech  Owl 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  77 


Habitat. — Temperate  North  America,  chiefly  in  the  interior,  breeding  from  north- 
ern Illinois  and  Utah  northward  to  the  Saskatchewan  region  ;  south  in  winter  to 
Brazil  and  Patagonia. 

Bare  and  irregular  migrant  throughout  the  state,  but  at  Erie  bay 
small  flocks  of  these  phalaropes  are  sometimes  to  be  seen  in  the  fall 
swimming  in  the  water  like  ducks. 

NOTE. — The  Bed  Phalarope  (Crymophilus  fulicarius)  which  appears 
to  be  more  exclusively  maritime  than  the  others,  can  easily  be  dis- 
tinguished by  the  bill,  which  is  short,  stout  and  broad,  with  lancet- 
shaped  tip.  The  Bed  Phalarope  was  mentioned  in  the  first  edition  of 
the  Birds  of  Pennsylvania  on  the  authority  of  Mr.  C.  D.  Wood,  of  Phil- 
adelphia, who  had  two  specimens,  both  of  which  I  have  since  learned 
were  taken  in  New  Jersey,  and  not  at  Philadelphia,  as  I  had  first  been 
informed. 

FAMILY  SCOLOPACID^E.     SNIPES,  SANDPIPERS,  ETO. 

About  twenty  species  of  this  large  and  important  family,  including  several  species 
which  are  eagerly  sought  after  by  the  sportsmen  and  highly  prized  by  epicures,  are 
found  in  Pennsylvania  during  migrations  or  as  summer  residents.  The  great  majority 
of  the  members  of  this  family  breed  in  high  northern  regions ;  three  species — the 
American  Woodcock,  the  Spotted  and  Bartramian  Sandpipers— breed  regularly  and 
generally  throughout  our  state.  Some  of  these  birds  are  solitary,  but  most  of  the 
species,  when  migrating  are  gregarious,  and  often  they  are  seen  in  large  flocks, 
which  frequently  contain  different  species.  Although  many  of  these  birds  occur  in 
ail  parts  of  the  commonwealth,  more  species  and  individuals,  particularly  in  large 
flocks,  are  to  bo  observed  during  the  spring  and  fall  migrations  at  Erie  bay  and 
about  the  lake  shore  in  Erie  county  than  in  other  localities  of  the  state.  The  Snipes 
and  Sandpipers,  with  a  few  exceptions,  inhabit  commonly  the  muddy  and  sandy 
shores  of  rivers,  lakes,  creeks  and  ponds  ;  they  likewise  frequent,  swamps  and 
marshy  meadow  lands,  and  some  of  them  are  also  to  be  found,  usually,  about  bogs 
and  watery  places  in  woods  and  thickets.  "The  general  econony  of  these  birds  is 
similar  to  that  of  a  plover,  a  chief  peculiarity  being  probably  their  mode  of  procur- 
ing food,  by  feeling  for  it,  in  the  majority  of  cases,  in  the  sand  or  mud  with  their 
delicately  sensitive  probe-like  bill.  The  eggs  are  commonly  four,  parti-colored, 
pointed  at  one  end  and  broad  at  the  other,  placed  with  the  small  ends  together  in  a 
slight  nest  or  mere  depression  on  the  ground  ;  the  young  run  about  at  birth."— 
Coues  Key  of  N.  A.  Birds.  These  birds  subsist  almost  exclusively  on  an  animal 
diet,  consisting  mainly  of  insects,  worms,  water  leeches,  etc. 


GENUS  SCOLOPAX  LINN.EUS. 
Scolopax  rusticola  LINN. 

European  Woodcock. 

DESCRIPTION. 

"No  outer  primaries  shortened  or  peculiar,  the  first  narrowed  somewhat  on  inner 
web  near  end;  first  and  second  longest,  third  little  shorter,  fourth  much  shorter; 
wings  long,  comparatively  *  *  *.  Generic  characters,  excepting  those  of  wing, 
much  as  in  Philohela;  same  style  of  bill  and  feet  and  configuration  of  body  and 
head  ;  plumage  similarly  variegated  above,  but  below  barred  crosswise  through- 
out ;  size  much  superior. 


78  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

"  Cock  bird. — Colors  above  harmoniously  blended  and  varied  black,  brown, 
chestnut  and  yellowish-gray ;  under  parts  brownish-white,  regularly  wavy-barred 
throughout  with  dark  brown.  A  dusky  stripe  from  bill  to  eye.  Top  and  back  of 
head  brownish-black  and  brown,  divided  by  three  or  four  cross-bars  of  brownish- 
white  and  brown.  Each  feather  of  upper  parts  chestnut  and  black,  in  variegation, 
the  black  usually  forming  a  large  sub-terminal  spot.  Yellowish-gray  tending  to 
form  a  scapular  stripe  on  each  side  of  back.  Quills  and  coverts  of  wings  blackish, 
pretty  regularly  varied  with  dark  chestnut  bars,  on  the  larger  quills  this  chestnut 
paler  and  reduced  to  marginal  indentations  ;  outer  web  of  first  primary  plain  whitish. 
Upper  tail-coverts  rich  chestnut,  little  varied  with  black,  with  pale  tips.  Tail  feathers 
black,  with  angular  chestnut  indentations  of  outer  webs  ;  their  tips  gray  from  above, 
viewed  from  below  glistening  silvery-white.  Under  parts  brownish-white,  more  or 
less  suffused  with  chestnut-brown  on  breast,  the  regular  dusky  barring  only  giving 
way  on  the  whitish  throat,  changing  to  lengthwise  streaks  on  under  tail-coverts. 

Hen.—  Unmistakably  similar— substantially  the  same  ;  grayer  above,  much  ot  the 
russet  mottling  of  the  male  replaced  by  hoary-gray,  *  *  *  (about  a  third  larger 
than  P.  minor) ;  weight  12  to  15  ounces.  Over  a  foot  long  ;  wing  seven  inches  or 
more  ;  tail  3§  ;  bill  only  about  as  long  as  in  our  woodcock." — Cone's  Key  to  N.  A. 
Birds. 

Habitat. — Northern  parts  of  the  Old  World  ;  occasional  in  eastern  North  America. 

From  several  reports,  about  a  half  dozen  in  all,  received  during-  the  last 
ten  years,  from  gunners  in  eastern  Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey,  I  am 
inclined  to  the  opinion  that  this  bird  is  ofteuer  met  with  on  this  side  of 
the  Atlantic  than  it  is  generally  supposed.  Not  having  any  specimens 
of  the  European  Woodcock  in  my  collection,  I  have  quoted  from  Dr. 
Cone's  Key,  a  very  full  description  of  the  generic  and  specific  characters 
of  the  species,  in  order  that  sportsmen  will  have  no  difficulty  in  identi- 
fying stragglers  which  may  come  into  their  possession.  At  least  two  of 
these  birds  have  been  captured,  during  recent  years,  in  Pennsylvania. 
Dr.  John  W.  Det wilier  informs  me  that  Mr.  John  Mack,  of  Bethlehem, 
shot  one  several  years  ago,  while  hunting  American  Woodcock,  in  North 
ampton  county.  In  the  early  part  of  November,  1886,  Mr.  David  M. 
McFarland,  a  prominent  banker,  residing  at  West  Chester,  killed  a  large 
female  of  this  species,  when  hunting  quail  on  the  "barrens,"  in  East 
Nottingham  township,  Chester  county.  September,  1889,  I  found  one 
of  these  woodcock  in  the  possesion  of  a  game  dealer  in  Philadelphia, 
which  he  said  had  been  sent  to  him,  with  a  lot  of  Sora  and  reed  birds, 
from  New  Jersey.  This  bird,  unfortunately,  was  too  far  gone  to  be  pre- 
served. 

GENUS  PHILOHELA  GRAY. 
Philohela  minor  (GMEL.). 

American  Woodcock  :  Bog-sucker ;  Wood-snipe. 

DESCRIPTION     (Plate  79). 

Body  rather  heavy  ;  neck  short  and  thick  ;  eyes,  head  and  bill  large  ;  ears  beneath 
eyes ;  wings  short  and  rounded,  the  first  three  primaries  very  narrow  and  shorter 
than  fourth  ;  fourth  and  fifth  primaries  longest.  The  tarsi  about  1.25  long,  are  rather 
stout ;  tibiae  feathered  to  the  joints  ;  toes  long  and  slender,  without  marginal  mem- 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  79 


branes  or  basal  webs.  Bill  (five  specimeus  measured)  over  2i  inches  long,  straight 
and  tapering,  and  stout  at  base  ;  the  ridge  at  base  of  maxilla  is  high  ;  the  upper  man- 
dible, a  little  longer  than  the  lower,  is  knobbed  at  end.  Three  long  grooves,  one  on 
ridge  above,  and  others  on  each  side  of  maxilla ;  gape  short  and  narrow.  The  sexes 
are  alike,  but  female  is  larger  than  male. 

Adult.— Length  10  to  12  inches  ;  extent  16  to  18  inches  ;  eyes  brown  ;  weight  varies 
from  4  to  9  ounces.  Legs  and  bill  (dried  skin)  pale  brownish.  Upper  parts  black, 
gray,  russet  and  brown  ;  chin  whitish,  rest  of  under  parts  brownish-red  color  of  dif- 
ferent shades. 

Habitat. — Eastern  province  of  North  America,  north  to  the  British  provinces,  west 
to  Dakota,  Kansas,  etc.,  breeding  throughout  its  range  ;  no  extralimital  records. 

This  bird,  well  known  to  sportsmen,  is  frequently  confounded  by  the 
casual  observer  with  the  Wilson's  Snipe.  The  error,  however,  can  readily 
be  avoided  if  you  bear  in  mind  that  the  woodcock  has  entire  lower  parts, 
including  lining  of  wings,  reddish-brown ;  on  the  other  hand,  the  snipe 
has  abdomen  white,  throat  and  upper  parts  of  the  breast  speckled  and 
the  lining  of  the  wings  barred  with  white  and  black.  The  woodcock 
arrives  in  Pennsylvania  about  the  middle  of  March,  sometimes  earlier, 
and  occasionally  a  few  are  found  during  the  "warm-spells"  of  winter 
lingering  about  the  spring-heads.  This  bird,  strictly  speaking,  is  an 
inhabitant  of  the  lowlands  and  boggy  districts  of  our  woods  and  dense 
thickets.  Oftentimes  during  the  fall  migrations  it  is  found  along  the 
muddy  shores  of  streams,  etc.,  or  in  the  late  summer  when  its  usual 
feeding-grounds  have  become  dry  and  hard  through  the  continued  sum- 
mer's heat,  it  resorts  to  corn  fields  where  it  probes  the  humid  soil  in  search 
of  food.  I  am  not  positive  that  the  "  Wood-hen,  as  some  aesthetic  market- 
women  prefer  to  call  her,"  makes  any  attempt  to  build  a  nest.  In  April, 
on  three  occasions,  I  have  found  eggs,  and  once  (May  10)  took  four 
young,  but  a  few  days  old,  all  of  which  were  on  the  ground  in  the  woods. 
The  eggs  were  deposited  in  slight  depressions  in  the  earth,  in  and  about 
which  were  dried  leaves ;  the  young  birds  were  discovered  on  a  lot  of 
dead  oak-leaves,  and  from  the  appearance  of  their  bed  I  judge  they  had 
been  there  only  a  short  time.  It  is  stated  by  Dr.  Coues  "  that  the  young 
are  sometimes  removed  from  danger  by  the  parents  carrying  them  with 
the  feet."  The  eggs,  generally  four  in  number,  are  grayish- white  or 
buff,  spotted  with  brownish  and  purplish-gray.  The  woodcock  is  prin- 
cipally nocturnal  in  its  habits,  and  during  the  fall  migrations  it  is  often 
found  in  considerable  numbers  in  favorite  resorts. 

Nuttall  says :  "According  to  their  usual  habits,  they  keep  secluded  in 
the  woods  and  thickets  till  the  approach  of  evening,  when  they  sally 
forth  to  seek  out  springs,  paths  and  broken  soil,  in  quest  of  worms  and 
other  insects,  on  which  they  feed.  They  now  disperse  themselves  over 
the  country  to  breed,  and  indicate  their  presence  in  all  directions  by  the 
marks  of  their  boring  bills,  which  are  seen  in  such  soft  and  boggy  places 
as  are  usually  sheltered  by  thickets  and  woods.  They  also  turn  over 
the  fallen  leaves  from  side  to  side  with  their  bills  in  quest  of  lurking  in- 
sects, but  never  scratch  with  their  feet,  though  so  robust  in  appearance. 


80 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


The  sensibility  possessed  by  the  extremity  of  the  bill,  as  in  the  snipe, 
is  of  such  an  exquisite  nature  that  they  are  enabled  to  collect  their  food 
by  the  mere  touch,  without  using1  their  eyes,*  which  are  set  at  such  a 
distance  and  elevation  in  the  back  part  of  the  head  as  to  give  the  bird  a 
remarkable  aspect  of  stupidity." 

Although  this  species  is  very  g-enerally  dispersed  throughout  the  state, 
it  appears,  from  reports  received  through  different  sources,  that  some 
of  the  principal  localities  visited  by  sportsmen  are  in  the  swampy  dis- 
tricts of  Wayne,  Bradford,  Susquehanna,  Cumberland,  Crawford  and 
Erie  counties ;  also  in  Clarion  and  Yenang-o  at  different  points  on  the 
Alleg-heny  Valley  railroad,  and  g-ood  woodcock  shooting-  is  said  to  be 
found,  in  July  and  August,  at  the  "  Black  Swamp,"  in  Montour  county, 
near  Danville,  on  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  and  Western  railroad. 

The  food-materials  of  nine  woodcock  examined  by  the  writer  are 
given  below: 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

May  10   1879 

Willistown,  Pa 

Small  fragments  of  '  '  worms  ''* 

2 

May  10   1879 

Willistown.  Pa  

Small  fragments  of  '  '  worms.  "* 

3 

May  10,  1879  

Willistown,  Pa  

Small  fragments  of  '  '  worms.  "* 

4 

May  10    1879 

Willistown,  Pa., 

Small  fragments  of  '  '  worms  ''* 

5 

6 

7 
g 

May  10,  1879  
July  20,  1882  
Aug.  8,  1884  
Oct.  20,  1882  

Willistown,  Pa  
Chester  county.  Pa.  ,    . 
Delaware  county.  Pa.  ,        .   . 
Schuylkill  county,  Pa  

Earth-worms  and  fragments  of  beetle.! 
Spider  and  unrecognizable  insects. 
Insects  and  larvae. 
Beetles  and  earth-worms. 

I 

Nov.   8,  1880  

Delaware,    

Small  seeds. 

All  young  birds. 


t  Parent  of  above. 


GENUS  GALLINAGO  LEACH. 
Gallinago  delicata  (ORD.). 

Wilson's  Snipe  ;  English  Snipe ;  Jack-snipe. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  9). 

The  body  is  more  slender  and  head  and  neck  smaller  than  in  Philohela.  About  a 
quarter  of  an  inch  on  lower  part  of  tibiae  naked;  ears  under  eyes;  the  three  first 
primaries  are  longest,  and  the  rather  long  wing  is  more  pointed  than  that  of  a  wood- 
cock ;  bill  (three  specimens  measured)  about  two  and  one-half  inches  long,  not  very 
stout  at  base,  and  straight ;  both  mandibles  have  grooves  on  sides,  extending  from 
base  to  near  the  end  ;  in  life  the  bill  is  vascular,  sensitive,  and  soft  toward  the  end 
where  it  widens;  in  dried  specimens  about  one  inch  of  the  bill  toward  end  is 
pitted  ;  short,  rounded  tail-feathers  with  transverse  bars ;  toes  long  and  slender 
without  basal  webs  or  marginal  membranes  ;  sexes  similar. 

Adult.— Length  about  11  inches  ;  extent  about  18  inches  ;  female  a  little  smaller  ; 
bill  (dried  skin)  brownish;  legs  blackish-brown;  iris  brown;  top  of  head  blackish, 

*  The  eyes,  being  situated  high  up  and  far  back  in  both  the  snipe  and  woodcock  (well  shown  in  plate  No. 
9,  fig.  1),  is  a  wise  provision  of  nature,  as  these  birds,  by  this  peculiarity,  escape  many  of  their  enemies. 
It  can  easily  be  understood  by  this  arrangement  that  the  Held  of  vision  is  greatly  increased.  Obtaining 
their  sustenance,  as  they  do,  chiefly  by  probing  with  their  long  bills,  so  amply  supplied  with  nerves,  they 
have  comparatively  little  use  for  their  eyes  when  feeding,  unless  it  is  to  keep  a  watch  for  their  numerous 
foes.— Warren. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  81 


with  a  pale  buff'  middle  stripe,  and  a  streak  of  same  color  extends  from  base  of 
maxilla  back  over  each  eye  ;  chin  and  upper  throat  yellowish-white  ;  neck  and  breast 
spotted  and  streaked  with  black,  dusky,  and  different  shades  of  brown  ;  belly  and 
outer  web  of  first  primary,  white  ;  back  and  upper  parts  generally  blackish  varied 
with  different  shades  of  brown  and  whitish  ;  the  pale  yellowish  edges  of  scapulars 
form  two  long  stripes  on  back,  separated  by  a  broader  streak  of  black  or  blackish  ; 
axillars  and  lining  of  wings  barred  with  black  and  white  ;  sides  whitish  with  trans- 
verse dusky  bars  ;  tail  feathers  chiefly  black,  with  a  transverse  and  broad  band  of 
bright  reddish-brown,  succeeded  by  a  narrow  black  band,  and  the  ends  almost 
white  ;  primaries  mostly  dark  brown  on  upper  surface  and  paler  below. 

Habitat. — North  and  middle  America,  breeding  from  the  northern  United  States 
northward  ;  south  in  winter  to  the  West  Indies  and  northern  South  America. 

This  bird,  usually,  though  improperly,  called  "  English  Snipe,"  ar- 
rives in  Pennsylvania  about  the  last  week  in  March,  and  is  common 
until  about  the  middle  of  May,  after  which  the  species  is  seldom  seen 
until  the  fall  migration  occurs.  Wilson's  Snipe  is  not  found  in  woods 
or  dense  thickets,  but  at  times,  when  sojourning  here,  is  seen  about  open 
places  in  wet  meadows,  swamps,  and  on  the  muddy  banks  of  streams 
and  ponds,  and  in  the  early  spring  he  shows  a  special  preference  for 
spring-heads,  about  which,  at  this  time,  the  tender  blades  of  grasses 
grow  in  abundance.  These  birds  are  found  singly,  or  in  small  flocks  of 
three,  five,  a  dozen  or  twenty  each.  According  to  my  experience  these 
flocks,  or  "  wisps"  as  they  are  often  called,  are  much  more  frequently 
met  with  in  spring  than  at  other  times,  in  nearly  every  section  of  the 
state,  except  in  the  vicinity  of  Erie  city,  where  I  have  several  times  in 
the  late  fall  observed  "  wisps  "  of  a  dozen  or  more.  They  return  here 
from  the  northern  breeding  grounds  in  September,  and  individuals  are 
often  seen  as  late  as  the  middle  of  November,  occasionally  during  "warm 
spells  "  in  December  and  January  stragglers  have  been  captured  in  the 
counties  of  Chester  and  Delaware.  Their  sharp  cry  of  scape,  scape,  is 
uttered  soon  after  they  arise  from  the  ground,  and  as  they  fly  rapidly 
off  in  a  zigzag  manner,  which  leads  many  sportsmen  to  consider  them 
as  one  of  the  most  difficult  birds  to  shoot.  Wilson's  Snipe  is  also  found 
in  this  state  as  a  rare  and  occasional  breeder.  Mr.  George  B.  Sennett 
informs  me  it  was  found  breeding,  about  ten  years  ago,  in  Crawford 
county ;  Mr.  Samuel  Thompson,  of  Erie  city,  reports  having  discovered 
a  nest  and  four  eggs  in  June,  1889,  in  a  swamp  near  the  Erie  county 
poor-house.  In  Bradford  county  Mr.  J.  L.  Camp,  of  Herrick,  also  Mr. 
J.  M.  Ketcham,  of  Minnequa,  have  observed  it  as  a  rare  summer  resi- 
dent. Dr.  H.  A.  Tingley,  of  Susquehanna,  says  it  has  been  known  to 
breed  in  his  locality,  and  Dr.  G.  A.  Scroggs,  of  Beaver,  tells  me  it  has 
been  taken  in  June  and  July  in  Beaver  county.  Individuals  of  this 
species  have  been  shot  in  summer  near  West  Chester,  also  in  Delaware 
county,  but  on  examining  them  I  found  that,  although  able  to  fly  a 
short  distance,  they  were  so  crippled  from  wounds  received  during  the 
spring  shooting  season  that  they  were  unable  to  perform  any  extended 
6  BIRDS. 


82 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


migrations.  Should  these  cripples  remain  in  a  locality  during  the  sum- 
mer months,  I  have  no  doubt  some  of  them  might  reproduce. 

According  to  Audubon,  "the  food  of  our  common  snipe  consists  prin- 
cipally of  ground-worms,  insects  and  the  juicy  slender  roots  of  different 
vegetables,  all  of  which  tend  to  give  its  flesh  that  richness  of  flavor  and 
juicy  tenderness  for  which  it  is  so  deservedly  renowned,  it  being  equal 
to  that  of  the  woodcock.  Many  epicures  eat  up  both  snipe  and  wood- 
cock with  all  their  viscera,  worms  and  insects  to  boot,  the  intestines,  in 
fact,  being  considered  the  most  savory  parts.  On  opening  some  newly- 
killed  snipe,  I  have  more  than  once  found  fine  large  and  well-fed  ground- 
worms,  and  at  times  a  leech,  which  I  must  acknowledge  I  never  con- 
ceived suitable  articles  of  food  for  man,  and  for  this  reason  I  have  always 
taken  good  care  to  have  both  snipe  and  woodcocks  well  cleaned,  as  all 
game  ought  to  be." 

The  food-materials  found  in  viscera  of  twenty-five  snipes  examined  by 
the  author  are  as  follows : 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1 

March  22.  1879.     , 

Birmingham,  Pa.    .   .   . 

Water  beetles  and  two  seeds  of  smart-  weed.  * 

2 

March  22.  1879.     .   . 

Birmingham.  Pa.    .   .   . 

Water  beetles  and  three  seeds  of  smart-weed. 

8 

March  22.  1879, 

Birmingham.  Pa.    .   .   . 

Water  beetles. 

4 

March  22,  1879, 

Birmingham,  Pa.    .   .   . 

Water  beetles. 

5 

March  22.  1879. 

Birmingham,  Pa.    .   .   . 

Water  beetles. 

i 

March  23,  1879. 

Birmingham,  Pa.    .   .   . 

Beetles. 

7 

April      1,  1879, 

West  Chester.  Pa  ... 

Earth-worms  and  fragments  of  beetles. 

8 

April      2,  1879. 

WestGoshen,  Pa..    .  . 

Earth-worms. 

9 

April      2,  1879, 

WestGoshen.  Pa..    .  . 

Earth-worms. 

10 

April      2,  1879, 

WestGoshen,  Pa..    .  . 

Beetles  and  blades  of  grass. 

11 

April     2,  1879, 

WestGoshen.  Pa.,    .  . 

Various  insects. 

12 

April      7,  1879, 

West  Chester,  Pa..    .   . 

Beetles  and  two  seeds  of  smart-weed. 

13 

April    12.  1879. 

Chester  county,  Pa  ,    . 

Vegetable  matter   apparently  roots  of  small  plant. 

14 

April    15.  1879, 

East  Bradford,  Pa.    .   . 

Beetles. 

15 

April    15,  1879, 

East  Bradford,  Pa.    .   . 

Beetles. 

16 
17 

April    22,  1879, 
April      1,  1884,     .   . 

East  Bradford,  Pa.    .   . 
WestGoshen,  Pa.,    .   . 

Portions  of  grass  blades  and  roots. 
Small  seeds  and  earth-worms. 

18 

May       3,  1884,     .   . 

East  Bradford,  Pa.    .   . 

Beetles  and  earth-worms. 

19 

May        3,  1884,     .    . 

East  Braxlford,  Pa.    .   . 

Beetles. 

20 

May        6,  1884,     .    . 

East  Bradford,  Pa.    .   . 

Beetles  and  earth-worms. 

21 

May      10,  1884.     .   . 

East  Bradford,  Pa.    .   . 

Various  insects  and  vegetable  matter. 

22 

April    17.  1883.     .    . 

Chester  county,  Pa  .    . 

Small  seeds. 

23 

April    17,  1883,     .   . 

Chester  county,  Pa  .    . 

Small  seeds  and  earth-worms. 

24 

April    17,  1883.     .   . 

Chester  county.  Pa  .    . 

Vegetable  matter. 

25 

April    17,  1883,     .   . 

Chester  county,  Pa  .    . 

Small  seeds. 

'  Polygonum. 


GENUS  MACRORHAMPHUS  LEACH. 


Macrorhamphus  griseus  (GMEL.). 


Dowitcher. 


DESCRIPTION. 


Bill  similar  to  Wilson's  Snipe  ;  wings  rather  long  and  pointed  ;  about  three-fourths 
of  an  inch  of  lower  part  of  tibia  bare  ;  front  toes  with  basal  webs  especially  between 
the  middle  and  outer  ;  tail  double-emarginate  with  twelve  feathers  ;  Oallinago  usu- 
ally has  sixteen  tail  feathers ;  sexes  alike,  but  plumage  varies  much  with  age  and 
season.  Although  this  bird  has  a  general  resemblance  to  Wilson's  Snipe,  it  can 
easily  be  distinguished  from  it  by  basal  webs  of  toes  ;  or  even  when  flying  by  the 
white  markings  of  lower  back. 


PLATE  19. 


1.  Yellow-throated  Vireo.    2.  Blue-winged  Warbler. 
3.  Great  Homed  Owl  Males. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  83 

Adult. — Blackish-brown  above,  varied  with  reddish  and  grayish  ;  rump  white ; 
tail  and  its  upper  coverts  blackish,  barred  with  white  ;  lower  parts  rusty-red,  paler 
or  whitish  on  abdomen.  Fall  birds  have  upper  parts  and  breast  grayish  and  lower 
part  of  back  and  most  ot  under  parts  white. 

Habitat.—  Eastern  North  America,  breeding  far  north. 

Rare  spring"  and  autumnal  visitor.  Specimens  have  been  taken  in 
Chester,  Lancaster  and  Erie  counties.  This  species,  when  found  here, 
is  seen  singly  or  in  pairs,  and  never  in  flocks  such  as  are  found  about 
the  Atlantic  coast  during-  migrations. 


GENUS  MICROPALAMA  BAIRD. 
Micropalama  himantopus  (BONAP.). 

Stilt  Sandpiper. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Bill  much  as  in  Gallinago  but  shorter  ;  less  widened  at  end  and  less  distinctly 
furrowed  on  top,  sometimes  perceptibly  curved.  Wings  long,  pointed,  first  primary 
longest;  legs  very  long ;  tibiae  bare  an  inch  ;  tarsus  as  long  as  bill;  feet  semi-pal, 
mate,  the  front  toes  being  connected  by  two  evident  basal  webs  ;  sexes  alike. — From 
Cones'  Key. 

"Adult  in  summer.— Above  blackish,  each  feather  edged  and  tipped  with  white 
and  tawny  or  bay,  which  on  scapulars  becomes  scolloped.  Auriculars  chestnut; 
a  dusky  line  from  bill  to  eye,  and  a  slight  superciliary  one  ;  upper  tail-coverts  white 
with  dusky  bars.  Primaries  dusky  with  blackish  tips  ;  tail  feathers  12,  ashy-gray, 
their  edges  and  a  central  field  white  ;  under  parts  mixed  reddish,  black  and  whitish, 
in  streaks  on  jugulum,  elsewhere  in  bars;  bill  and  feet  greenish-black.  Length 
8|-9 ;  extent  16-17  *  *  bill  1.50-1.70  *  *  *  Young  and  adults  in  winter 
ashy-gray  above,  with  or  without  traces  of  black  and  bay,  the  feathers  usually  with 
white  edging  ;  line  over  eye  and  under  parts  white,  the  jugulum  and  sides  suffused 
with  the  color  of  the  back,  and  streaked  with  dusky  ;  legs  usually  pale  greenish- 
yellow.  The  full  breeding  dress  is  of  brief  duration  ;  the  birds  are  usually  ashy  and 
white  from  September  to  April,  both  inclusive." — Coues1  Key. 

Habitat. — Eastern  province  of  North  America,  breeding  north  of  the  United 
States,  and  migrating  in  winter  to  the  West  Indies  and  central  South  America. 

Very  rare  spring  and  fall  migrant.  I  have  never  met  with  this  spe- 
cies in  Pennsylvania.  Dr.  Walter  Van  Fleet  has  observed  it  in  Clinton 
county  and  Mr.  W.  W.  Stoey,  of  Harrisburg,  mentions  the  Stilt  Sand- 
piper as  one  of  the  occasional  visitors  found  about  the  Susquehanna,  in 
Dauphin  county. 

GENUS  TRINGA  LINN^US. 
Tringa  canutus  LINN. 

Knot ;  Red-breasted  Sandpiper  ;  Ash-colored  Sandpiper. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Bill  straight,  short,  about  1^  inches  long  ;  both  mandibles  have  grooves  on  sides  ; 
legs  short  and  stout ;  toes  short  and  stout,  without  any  webs,  but  front  toes  have 
rather  wide  margins  ;  hind  toe  rather  long  and  slender  ;  tail  feathers  about  even. 


84  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


Adult  in  spring. — Upper  parts  grayish-brown  and  many  feathers  have  black  cen- 
ters with  paler  edges;  rump  and  upper  tail-coverts  chiefly  white  with  irregular  bars 
or  spots  of  black  or  brownish  ;  streak  over  eye,  chin,  throat  and  breast  rusty-red  ; 
belly,  flanks  and  under  tail-coverts  white  or  nearly  white  ;  sides  whitish  with  dusky 
streaks ;  bill  and  legs  black,  eyes  brown.  Birds  both  young  and  old,  taken  in 
autumn,  have  upper  parts  more  grayish  and  less  black,  arid  lower  parts  generally 
white. 

Habitat. — Nearly  cosmopolitan  ;  breeds  in  high  northern  latitudes,  but  visits  the 
Southern  Hemisphere  during  migrations. 

The  Robin-snipe  or  Gray -back,  as  the  Knot  is  called  by  hunters  on 
the  Atlantic  coast  of  New  Jersey,  where  it  is  abundant  during-  migra- 
tions, is  a  regular  and  somewhat  common  visitor  about  the  lake  shore 
and  at  Erie  bay,  in  Erie  county,  during  the  spring  and  fall  migrations. 
In  other  parts  of  the  state  the  Knot  is  seldom  seen. 


Tringa  maritima  BRUNN. 

Purple  Sandpiper. 


DESCRIPTION. 


Bill  quite  slender  and  straight  or  slightly  curved  down  at  end. 

"  Winter  dress.— Back  and  scapulars  sooty  black,  strongly  glossed  with  purplish, 
the  feathers  bordered  terminally  with  dark  plumbeous-gray;  jugulurn  uniform 
mouse-gray  or  brownish-plumbeous. 

"  Young,  first  plumage. — Scapulars,  interscapulars  and  wing-coverts  bordered 
with  pale  grayish-buff,  with  little  or  none  of  rusty  ;  length  about  9  inches  ;  (extent 
about  16)  ;  bill  about  1.20  ;  tarsus  about  .99"— B.  B.  &  R.  Birds  of  N.  A. 

Habitat. — Northern  portions  of  Northern  Hemisphere  ,  in  North  America  chiefly 
the  northeastern  portions,  breeding  in  the  high  north,  migrating  in  winter  to  the 
eastern  and  middle  states,  the  great  lakes  and  the  shores  of  the  larger  streams  in 
the  Mississippi  valley. 

This  species  I  have  never  met  with  in  Pennsylvania,  where  it  occurs 
only  as  a  very  rare  or  casual  migrant.  Mr.  George  B.  Sennett,  of  Erie 
city,  mentions  it  as  a  straggler  in  his  locality.  The  late  Judge  Libhart 
records  in  his  report  the  capture  of  a  Purple  Sandpiper  in  August  (year 
not  given)  in  Lancaster  county.  A  specimen  in  the  U.  S.  National 
Museum  was  taken  many  years  ago  near  Philadelphia. 


Tringa  maculata  VIEILL. 

Pectoral  Sandpiper ;  Grass-snipe  ;  Jack-snipe. 

DESCRIPTION  {Plate  66). 

Adult. — Length  about  10  inches  ;  extent  about  18  ;  bill  little  over  an  inch  long  and 
straight;  bill  (dried  skin)  blackish,  paler  toward  base;  legs  dark  greenish;  eyes 
brown  ;  upper  parts,  generally  blackish-brown,  feathers  edged  with  reddish-brown 
and  white  or  whitish  ;  chin,  upper  part  of  throat  and  indistinct  line  over  eye  whitish  ; 
foreneck  and  upper  part  of  breast  ashy-gray  (with  sometimes  a  buff  tinge)  with 
numerous  dusky  streaks,  rest  of  breast,  belly,  sides  and  crissurn  pure  white. 

Habitat. — The  whole  of  North  America,  the  West  Indies  and  the  greater  part  of 
South  America  ;  breeds  in  the  Arctic  regions.  Of  frequent  occurrence  in  Europe. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  85 


Common  spring  and  fall  migrant,  arriving,  generally,  in  April.  These 
birds,  after  rearing  their  young  in  the  far  north,  return  to  their  winter 
resorts  and  again  make  their  appearance  here  in  September,  and  they 
are  often  found  with  us  in  October  and  the  early  part  of  November. 
The  Pectoral  Sandpiper  is  found  frequently  in  small  flocks  (sometimes 
in  large  flocks)  or  singly,  and  often  in  company  with  other  species,  par- 
ticularly the  Wilson's  Snipe.  The  Grass-snipe  as  this  species  is  best 
known  to  gunners,  frequents  the  same  localities  as  the  Wilson's  Snipe, 
but  it  is  of tener  seen  about  low,  wet,  grassy  flats  in  open  fields  and  mea- 
dows than  about  the  shores  of  streams  and  ponds. 

Tringa  fuscicollis  VIEILL. 

White-rumped  Sandpiper. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Length  about  1\  inches  ;  extent  about  15;  bill  black  at  end,  much  lighter  at  base 
of  lower  mandible  ;  iris  brown  ;  bill  about  an  inch  long.  This  bird  although  smaller 
is  very  similar  to  the  Pectoral  Sandpiper,  from  which  it  can  be  distinguished  by  the 
(usually)  pure  white  upper  tail-coverts ;  dusky  streaks  on  foreneck  and  breast,  chin 
and  throat  with  small  dusky  specks.  . 

Habitat.— Eastern  province  of  North  America,  breeding  in  the  high  north.  In 
winter,  the  West  Indies,  Central  and  South  America,  south  to  Falkland  Islands. 
Occasional  in  Europe. 

Very  rare  spring  and  fall  migrant  in  Pennsylvania.  One  of  these 
sandpipers  was  taken  in  Berks  county,  near  Beading,  by  Mr.  D.  Frank 
Keller.  I  have  seen  two  of  these  birds  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  C.  D. 
Wood,  which  were  captured,  he  said,  along  the  Schuylkill,  near  Phil- 
adelphia. I  have  never  met  with  the  species  in  Pennsylvania. 

Tringa  minutilla  VIEILL. 

Least  Sandpiper ;  Peep. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  78). 

Smallest  of  all  the  sandpipers ;  length  about  5|  inches ;  extent  about  10|  ;  bill, 
slender,  straight  and  about  f  of  an  inch  long. 

Adult  spring  dress. — Upper  parts  brownish-black,  feathers  with  dark  centers, 
edged  with  bright  reddish  or  chestnut,  and  more  or  less  tipped  with  white  ;  fore- 
neck  and  breast  pale  brownish-white  with  numerous  dusky  streaks  ;  rest  of  under 
parts  white.  The  adults  and  young  in  fall  are  quite  similar,  but  with  more  white  on 
chin  and  upper  throat,  and  foreneck  and  breast  is  light-grayish  with  a  few  indistinct 
dusky  streaks.  This  species  can  easily  be  distinguished  from  Semipalmated  Sand- 
piper by  not  only  its  smaller  size,  but  by  the  fact  that  its  long  slender  front  toes  have 
no  basal  webs  as  m  the  Semipalmated. 

Habitat.—  The  whole  of  North  and  South  America,  breeding  north  of  the  United 
States.  Accidental  in  Europe. 

The  Least  Sandpiper  is  a  common  spring  and  fall  migrant  in  Penn- 
sylvania. At  Erie  bay  iij  is  very  abundant,  being  usually  seen  in  large 
flocks,  in  company  with  the  Semipalmated  Sandpiper,  and  both  species 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


are  known  there  by  the  common  name  of  "  Peeps."  This  species  is  also 
found,  often  in  considerable  numbers,  about  streams  and  ponds  in  all 
parts  of  the  state,  but  is  generally  more  numerous  in  the  interior  in  the 
fall  than  during  the  spring  migration.  Referring  to  these,  the  smallest 
of  all  our  sandpipers,  Nuttall  says  that  "  for  the  discovery  of  their  food 
their  flexible  and  sensitive  awl-like  bills  are  probed  into  the  mire,  marshy 
soil,  or  wet  sand,  in  the  manner  of  the  snipe  and  woodcock,  and  in  this 
way  they  discover  and  rout  from  their  hidden  retreats  the  larvae  and 
soft  worms  which  form  a  principal  part  of  their  fare.  At  other  times 
they  also  give  chase  to  insects,  and  pursue  their  calling  with  amusing 
alacrity." 


Tringa  alpina  paciflca  (OouES.). 

American  Dunlin;  Red-backed  Sandpiper;  Black-bellied  Sandpiper 

DESCRIPTION. 

Bill  and  legs  black,  the  former  rather  stout  and  slightly  decurved.  The  bill  is 
much  longer  than  head  (three  specimens  before  me  average  1.50) ;  sexes  alike.  Like 
other  sandpipers  this  species  shows  great  variation  in  its  colors  with  age  and  season, 
but  adults  in  the  spring  may  be  known  by  the  bright  chestnut  and  blackish  feathers 
(many  with  grayish  or  white  tips),  of  upper  parts,  the  black  colored  rump  and  upper 
tail-coverts,  and  a  broad  black  patch  on  belly.  The  foreneck  and  upper  part  of 
breast  grayish-white,  streaked  with  dusky,  rest  of  under  parts  white.  The  adults 
and  young  in  fall  dress  have  upper  parts  rather  dark  ashy-gray  ;  rump  and  upper 
tail-coverts  much  darker  (specimens  are  often  seen  with  reddish  and  black  feathers 
on  back,  and  sometimes  single  feathers  or  patches  of  black  on  belly).  Lower  parts 
usually  white ;  foreneck  and  breast  grayish-white  streaked  with  dusky.  Length 
about  8§  or  9  inches  ;  extent  about  15 ;  eyes  brown. 

Habitat. — North  America  in  general,  breeding  far  north. 

Regular  spring  and  fall  migrant.  The  American  Dunlin  or  Red- 
backed  Sandpiper  is  much  more  numerous  at  Erie  bay,  and  about  the 
lake  shore  in  Erie  county,  than  in  any  other  section  of  the  state.  When 
these  birds  are  met  with  about  the  gravelly  or  muddy  shores  of  our 
larger  water  courses — Susquehanna,  Delaware,  Allegheny  and  Ohio  rivers 
chiefly — they  generally  are  seen  singly  or  in  small  flocks,  usually  in  com- 
pany with  other  species.  At  Erie,  in  the  fall,  the  Dunlin  is  a  very 
abundant  bird,  being  found  in  flocks  which  often  number  a  hundred  or 
more.  Large  numbers  of  this  species,  and  other  shore  birds,  are  killed 
by  gunners  in  the  fall  (the  principal  flights  occur  usually  in  September) 
along  the  beach  on  the  peninsula,  and  about  the  muddy  flats  at  the 
mouth  of  Mill  Creek,  which  flows  into  Erie  bay,  below  the  Soldiers'  and 
Sailors'  Home,  at  Erie  city.  The  Dunlin  feeds  on  worms,  insects,  small 
bivalve  shells,  etc.,  and  when  fat,  is  equally  as  palatable  as  the  snipe  or 
plover. 


Plate  20. 


Belted  Kingfisher. 
1.  Males;  2.  Female. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  87 


GENUS  EREUNETES  ILLIGER. 
Ereunetes  pusillus  (LiNN.). 

Semipalmated  Sandpiper;  Peep. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  81). 

Size  small,  a  little  larger  than  T.  minutilla  from  which  in  any  plumage  it  can  be 
recognized  by  the  basal  webs  of  front  toes  ;  bill  and  legs  black  ;  eyes  brown. 

Adult  in  spring. — Above  grayish-brown,  feathers  more  or  less  edged  with  brown, 
ish  or  rusty,  and  tipped  with  whitish  ;  lower  parts  white,  except  jugulum  which  is 
pale  grayish-brown, -streaked  with  dusky.  The  old  birds  and  young  in  the  fall  have 
upper  parts  more  grayish  (particularly  about  back  of  neck),  and  less  rusty ;  lower 
parts  white  ;  jugulum  (adult)  very  faintly  streaked  with  dusky;  jugulum  (young) 
pale  buff  without  streaks. 

Habitat. — Eastern  province  of  North  America,  breeding  north  of  the  United  States ; 
south  in  winter  to  the  West  Indies  and  South  America. 

Common  spring-  and  fall  migrant,  similar  in  habits,  and  occurring'  in 
the  same  localities  as  the  Least  Sandpiper. 

GENUS  CALIDEIS  CUVIER. 
Calidris  arenaria  (LiNN.). 

Sanderling. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Very  similar  in  general  character  to  the  sandpipers,  but  hind  toe  is  absent  ;  bill, 
about  as  long  as  head,  stout  and  straight,  end  somewhat  thickened  and  expanded ; 
toes  short. 

"Adult  in  summer. — Above,  light  rufous,  broken  by  large  spots  of  black,  the  feath- 
ers mostly  tipped  with  whitish.  Head,  neck,  throat  and  jugulum  pale  cinnamon- 
rufous,  speckled  below  and  streaked  above  with  blackish. 

"Adult  in  winter.—  Above,  very  pale  pearl-gray  (the  lesser  wing-coverts  darker 
anteriorly),  relieved  only  by  faint  darker  shaft-streaks  of  the  feathers.  Throat  and 
jugulum  pure  white. 

"Adult  in  spring. — Above,  light  grayish,  with  large  black  spots  (streaks  on  the 
crown),  here  and  there  mixed  with  rufous;  jugulum  speckled  with  dusky  on  a 
white  ground. 

"  Young.—  Above,  pale  gray,  spotted  with  black  and  whitish,  the  latter  on  tips  of 
the  feathers  ;  jugulum  immaculate  white,  laintly  tinged  with  dull  buff.  '  Bill  and 
feet  black  ;  iris  brown  '— (Aud.).  Length  about  7.75  to  8.00  inches"  (extent  about 
15  inches).— B.  B.  and  R.  N.  A.  Birds. 

Habitat.—  Nearly  cosmopolitan,  breeding  in  the  Arctic  and  subarctic  regions,  mi- 
grating, in  America,  south  to  Chili  and  Patagonia. 

Common  spring  and  fall  migrant  at  Lake  Erie,  where  it  is  often  seen 
in  flocks,  frequently  in  company  with  the  Piping-  Plover ;  much  less 
common  in  the  interior  of  the  state,  where,  generally,  only  scattered 
birds  are  found,  usually,  about  the  shores  of  rivers,  lakes  and  large 
ponds. 


88  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


GENUS  LIMOSA  BRISSON. 
Limosa  fedoa  (LINN.). 

Marbled  Godwit. 

DESCRIPTION. 

"  Bill  lengthened,  *  *  *  slender,  and  curving  gently  upwards  ;  grooved  to  near 
tip  ;  the  tip  not  attenuated,  but  pointed  ;  the  lower  almost  as  long  as  the  upper.  Cul- 
men  without  any  furrow.  *  *  *  A  short  basal  membrane  between  the  middle 
and  outer  toes  ;  hind  toe  lengthened  ;  tail  short,  even. 

"  8p.  ch. — Bill  long,  curved  upwards  ;  both  mandibles  grooved  ;  wings  long  *  *  * 
legs  long  ;  tibia  with  its  lower  half  naked  ;  toes  rather  short.  * .  *  *  Entire  upper 
parts  variegated  with  brownish-black  and  pale  reddish,  the  former  disposed  in  ir- 
regular and  confluent  bands,  and  the  latter  in  spots  and  imperfect  bands  ;  in  many 
specimens  the  black  color  predominating  on  the  back,  and  the  pale  red  on  the  rump 
and  upper  tail-coverts.  Under  parts  pale  rufous,  with  transverse  lines  of  brownish- 
black  on  breasts  and  sides  ;  under  wing-coverts  and  axillars  darker  rufous  *  *  * 
tail,  light  rufous,  with  transverse  bars  of  brownish-black.  Bill  pale  yellowish,  red 
at  base  ;  brownish-black  at  end  ;  legs  ashy  black.  Length  about  18  inches  ;  bill  4  to 
5;  tarsus  3. "-B.  B.  of  N.  A. 

Habitat. — North  America ;  breeding  in  the  interior  (Missouri  region  and  north- 
ward), migrating  in  winter  southward  to  Central  America  and  Cuba. 

The  Marbled  Godwit,  or  Marliii,  is  a  rare  and  irregular  spring-  and 
fall  migrant  in  Pennsylvania.  Mr.  George  B.  Sennett  informs  me 
stragglers  are  occasionally  taken  in  Crawford  and  Erie  counties.  A  few 
specimens  have  also  been  captured  in  recent  years  in  Lancaster,  Phila- 
delphia and  Delaware  counties. 

NOTE. — The  Hudsonian  Godwit  (Limosa  hcemastica  Linn.)  is  said  to 
have  been  captured  many  years  ago  near  Philadelphia  by  the  late  John 
Krider.  I  have  never  met  with  this  bird  in  Pennsylvania.  None  of  the 
naturalists  or  collectors  whose  lists  of  birds  of  Pennsylvania  are  before 
me  make  any  reference  to  it. 


GENUS  TOTANUS  BECHSTEIN. 
Totanus  melanoleucus  (GMEL.). 

Greater  Yellow-legs :  Greater  Tell-tale ;  Greater  Yellow-shanks. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  81). 

Bill  long,  slender,  and  with  deep  grooves  in  front  of  nostrils ;  tibiae  mostly  bare  ;  the 
long  and  slender  legs  are  yellow  ;  bill  and  claws  black  ;  iris  brown  ;  the  short  and 
rounded  tail  is  blackish  with  numerous  transverse  white  bars  ;  upper  tail  coverts 
white  with  few  brownish  bars  ;  upper  parts  generally  brownish-black  (ashy  on  back 
of  neck)  with  numerous  white  spots  or  edging  on  feathers  ;  chin,  upper  throat,  lower 
part  of  breast,  abdomen,  most  of  sides  and  under  tail  coverts  white  ;  lower  neck  in 
front  and  upper  breast  grayish-brown,  with  many  dusky  streaks.  Length,  bill  to 
end  of  tail  about  14  inches  ;  extent  about  25  ;  bill  about  2^  inches,  never  under  2. 

Habitat. — America  in  general,  breeding  in  the  cold  temperate  and  subarctic  por- 
tions of  North  America,  and  migrating  south  to  Chili  and  Buenos  Ayres. 


Plate  2i. 


Red-headed  Woodpecker. 
1.  Male;  2.  Female;  3.  Young. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


89 


Common  spring-  and  fall  migrant,  but  more  numerous  in  the  fall— 
from  last  of  August  to  middle  of  October — than  in  spring.  At  Lake 
Erie  this  species  is  often  seen  in  small  flocks,  but  in  other  parts  of  the 
state  it  is  mostly  found  singly  or  in  pairs,  inhabiting  the  same  localities 
as  the  Lesser  Tell-tale.  The  Greater  Yellow -leg's  feeds  sometimes,  it  is 
said,  on  small  fish.  A  dozen  or  more  of  these  birds  which  I  have  ex- 
amined had  in  their  stomach  chiefly  different  kinds  of  insects,  worms 
and  small  particles  of  shells. 


Totanus  flavipes  (GMEL.). 

Yellow-legs;  Lesser  Tell-tale ;  Yellow-shanks. 

DESCRIPTION. 

This  bird  is  a  miniature  of  the  Greater  Yellow-legs  ;  colors  the  same.  Length  about 
10  or  11  inches  ;  extent  about  19  or  21 ;  bill  never  two  inches  long,  and  in  three  birds 
before  me  the  bills  average  a  trifle  less  than  one  and  one-half  inches. 

Habitat. — America  in  general,  breeding  in  the  cold  temperate  and  subarctic 
districts,  and  migrating  south  in  winter  to  southern  South  America.  Less  common 
in  the  western  than  the  eastern  province  of  North  America. 

The  Yellow-legs,  commonly  known  along  the  sea-shore  as  "Little 
Yellow-leg-Tell-tale,"  is  quite  frequently  found  in  Pennsylvania  during 
migrations.  Although  often  seen  in  spring,  it  is  most  numerous  during 
the  last  of  August  and  in  September.  At  Erie  bay  this  bird,  also  the 
Greater  Yellow-legs,  is  quite  common  from  the  latter  part  of  August 
until,  some  seasons,  as  late  as  the  first  week  in  November.  It  is  gener- 
ally found  in  the  interior,  singly  or  in  pairs,  and  sometimes,  though  not 
often,  in  parties  of  five  or  six.  I  have  often  found  them  about  ponds, 
pools,  and  muddy  flats,  never  along-  streams  of  running-  water,  unless 
the  borders  of  such  streams  were  muddy  and  destitute  of  grasses  and 
other  vegetation.  Dr.  Ezra  Michener,  in  a  list  of  the  Chester  county 
birds,  published  in  1863,  says  this  species  is  a  "  frequent  summer  resi- 
dent." I  have  never  known  this  bird  to  occur  in  Chester  county  as  a 
summer  resident,  and  am  satisfied  that  it  is  now  found  in  Chester  county 
and  throughout  Pennsylvania  only  as  a  spring-  and  autumnal  migrant. 

The  food-materials  of  thirteen  of  these  birds  examined  by  the  writer 
are  given  in  the  following  table : 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1 

April  30,  1879, 

Chester  county.  Pa 

Insects,  chiefly  beetles. 

May     7,  1879 

3 

Aug.  27.  1879,    

Assomack  countv.  Va.  . 

Insects. 

4 

Aug.  27,  1879,     . 

Assomack  county.  Va.. 

Insects. 

5 
G 

Aug.  27,  1879  
Sept.  _,  1882 

Assomack  county.  Va.  , 
Brigantine    N   J 

Insects. 

7 

Sept.  —  ,  1882.    . 

Brigantine,  N.  J  . 

Small  '  '  worms  " 

8 

Sept.  —  ,  1882. 

Brigantine    N    J 

Beetles 

9 

Aug.  HO.  1882.     . 

Chester  county.  Pa. 

Insects. 

10 

Oct.    10.  1880.    . 

11 

Oct.    10,  1880.     . 

Chester  county,  Pa  

Insects  and  fragments  of  shells. 

12 
13 

Oct.    10.  1880  
Oct.    10,  1880, 

Chester  county,  Pa  

Insects. 

90  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


Tot  anus  solitarius  (WiLS.). 

Solitary  Sandpiper. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  10). 

Bill  long,  straight,  slender  ;  maxilla  with  deep  grooves  in  front  of  nostrils  ;  slender 
legs  and  toes  ;  basal  webs,  but  that  between  outer  and  middle  toes  much  the  largest ; 
tail  rounded  and  barred  with  white  and  blackish ;  bill  blackish ;  legs  greenish  ; 
eyes  brown. 

Adult,  in  spring. — Upper  parts  dark-brown,  with  faint  tinge  of  olive  ;  top  of  head, 
and  back  of  neck  streaked  with  white,  rest  of  upper  plumage  spotted  with  white  ;  chin, 
lower  breast,  most  of  sides,  abdomen  and  under  tail-coverts  white  ;  front  of  neck 
white  with  numerous  dusky  streaks  ;  primaries  blackish  above,  paler  below  ;  lining 
of  wings  and  axillars  with  dusky  and  white  bars.  Old  birds  in  the  fall  and  the 
young  are  very  similar  to  the  adult  in  spring  but  are  duller  in  color  ;  the  top  of  head, 
hind  neck  and  most  of  sides  of  the  latter  grayish-brown  with  few  or  no  faint  dusky 
streaks  ;  chin  and  upper  throat  white  ;  front  of  neck  grayish-brown  and  white  with 
indistinct  dusky  streaks.  Length  8  to  9  inches  ;  extent  15  to  17  ;  bill  1*  inches  or  a 
little  less. 

Habitat. — North  America,  breeding  occasionally  in  the  northern  United  States, 
more  commonly  northward,  and  migrating  southward  as  far  as  Brazil  and  Peru. 

Common  spring  and  fall  migrant.  Breeds  occasionally  in  a  few 
localities.  The  Solitary  Sandpiper,  unlike  other  of  the  sandpipers 
occurring  in  this  region,  appears  to  have  a  special  fondness  for  stagnant 
pools  in  and  about  the  woods.  During  its  spring  and  fall  passage 
through  Pennsylvania  it  is  common,  frequenting,  generally,  the  muddy 
borders  of  ponds,  pools  and  sloughs.  This  species  seldom  arrives  in 
this  state  before  April  25.  About  the  first  week  in  May  you  find  them 
singly,  in  pairs,  and  occasionally  in  flocks,  numbering  sometimes  as 
many  as  eight  or  even  twelve  individuals.  In  Wilson's  Ornithology, 
the  following  mention  is  made  of  the  species :  "  I  have  made  many 
long  and  close  searches  for  the  nest  of  this  bird  without  success.  They 
regularly  breed  on  Pocono  mountain,  between  Easton  and  Wilkes-Barre, 
in  Pennsylvania,  arriving  there  early  in  May  and  departing  in  Septem- 
ber." In  Cumberland  county  the  Messrs.  Baird  record  it  as  a  native. 
Wilson  also  states  that  these  birds  inhabit  the  watery  solitudes  of  our 
highest  mountains  during  the  summer  from  Kentucky  to  New  York, 
but  are  nowhere  numerous,  seldom  more  than  one  or  two  being  seen 
together.  Dr.  Coues  has  found  "  young  birds  in  July  in  northern  Dakota, 
about  the  pools  of  Turtle  mountain."  The  same  writer  also  states  that  "in 
Maryland  and  Virginia,  and  in  nearly  correspondent  latitudes  in  the 
west,  I  have  shot  birds  in  August  so  young  as  to  leave  no  doubt  in  my 
mind  that  they  were  bred  in  the  vicinity."  I  have  never  seen  a  Solitary 
Sandpiper  in  Pennsylvania  in  June  or  July,  but  that  it  breeds  sparingly, 
and  in  several  localities,  there  is  no  doubt.  Mr.  George  B.  Sennett,  of 
Erie,  has  several  times  met  with  this  species  in  midsummer  about  streams 
running  through  woods,  in  the  vicinity  of  Meadville,  Crawford  county ; 
and  Mr.  H.  C.  Kirkpatrick,  a  taxidermist  residing  at  Meadville,  says  it 
is  occasionally  found  in  that  neighborhood  as  a  native.  Prof.  H.  Justin 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


91 


Roddy,  of  Millersville,  Pa.,  writing-  (letter)  of  this  species  in  Perry 
county,  says:  "In  the  latter  part  of  June,  1884,  I  shot  an  adult  male 
Solitary  Sandpiper.  There  were  a  pair  of  them  in  a  swamp,  and  from 
their  actions  they  were  nesting.  I  devoted  a  good  bit  of 'time  in  search- 
ing- for  their  nest  but  could  not  find  it.  I  have  no  doubt,  however,  as  to 
their  breeding-."  Dr.  Treichler,  of  Lancaster  county,  mentions  it  as  an 
irregular  breeder ;  he  has  found  young-  about  half  grown  in  the  Cone- 
wago  meadows  early  in  July.  Dr.  Walter  Van  Fleet,  of  Renovo,  states 
that  the  Solitary  Sandpiper  breeds  in  Clinton,  Union  and  Northumber- 
land counties.  Prof.  A.  Kock,  of  Williamsport,  tells  me  that  he  is  quite 
positive  that  this  bird  sometimes  breeds  in  the  mountainous  regions  of 
Lycoming  county.  Although  the  bird  is  common,  very  little  is  known 
concerning  its  nest  or  eggs.  Prof.  Robert  Ridgway  *  says,  "  Egg  (iden- 
tification doubtful,  but  probably  correct)  1.32  by  .90,  dull  light-buffy, 
thickly  spotted  and  clouded  with  rich  madder-brown  and  purplish-gray." 
Mr.  Oliver  Davie  (Nests  and  Eggs  of  N.  A.  Birds,  third  edition),  says : 
"  In  the  last  edition  of  this  work  I  mentioned  an  egg  supposed  to  belong 
to  this  species,  which  I  took  in  an  open  field  bordering  the  Scioto  river, 
near  Columbus,  Ohio,  in  the  latter  part  of  May,  1887.  *  *  *  *  The 
egg  was  of  a  pointed  oval  shape,  and  not  nearly  so  pyriform  as  are  the 
eggs  of  most  of  this  family,  size  1.25  by  .88,  smaller  than  the  eggs  of  the 
Spotted  Sandpiper.  The  ground  was  clay-color  with  a  reddish  tinge, 
thickly  marked  with  reddish  and  blackish-brown.  The  nest  was  on  the 
ground  in  as  exposed  a  locality  as  is  ever  frequented  by  this  bird.  It 
contained  two  eggs,  both  far  advanced  in  incubation,  only  one  of  which 
was  preserved." 

According  to  Audubon,  the  Solitary  Sandpiper  is  expert  in  catching 
insects  on.  the  wing,  "  especially  the  smaller  kinds  of  dragon-flies,  which 
it  chases  from  the  sticks  on  which  they  alight,  and  generally  seize  before 
they  have  flown  across  the  little  ponds  which  are  the  favorite  places  of 
resort  of  this  species.  I  have  found  their  stomachs  filled  with  aquatic 
insects,  caterpillars  of  various  kinds,  and  black  spiders  of  considerable 
size." 

The  food  materials  of  eleven  birds  examined  by  the  writer  are  given 
below : 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1 

May    5    1880 

Chester  county    Pa 

Small  shells. 

2 

May    (5,  1880 

Chester  county    Pa.  . 

Vegetable  matter. 

:s 

4 
5 

d 

May    9.  1880  
May    7,  1882.    .  .   . 
May    7.  1882  
Sept.  21.  1883. 

Chester  county,  Pa  
Chester  county,  Pa  
Chester  county.  Pa  
Chester  county    Pa  .           .      . 

Small  '  '  worms.  " 
1  'Worms  "  and  beetles. 
"Worms  "  and  beetles. 
Beetles 

8 
It 
10 
11 

Oct.     5,  1883  
Oct.  20,  18S3  
May  11.  1884  
May  11.  1884  
May  11,  1884, 

Chester  county.  Pa  
Schuylkill  county,  Pa  
Chester  county,  Pa  
Chester  county,  Pa  

"  Worms.1' 
Insects. 
Beetles  and  earth-worm 
Dipterous  insects. 
Small  '  '  worms.  " 

Manual  of  North  American  Birds,  pajre  10(5. 


92  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


GENUS  SYMPHEMIA  RAFINESQUE. 
Symphemia  semipalmata   (GMEL.). 

Willet, 

DESCBIPTION. 

Size  large,  bill  long,  thick  and  grooved  to  middle  ;  legs  stout  and  long ;  lower  half 
of  tibiae  bare  ;  toes  short  and  stout  with  marginal  membranes  and  basal  webs  con- 
necting inner  and  outer  with  the  middle  toes ;  tail  feathers  nearly  even.  This  spe- 
cies varies  more  or  less  with  age  and  season.  Three  specimens,  male  and  females, 
(taken  in  August),  before  me  have  bluish  black  legs,  blackish  bills,  the  latter  2^  and 
2f  inches  long.  Upper  parts  brownish-gray,  darkest  on  head  and  back,  streaked 
with  dusky,  and  many  of  the  feathers  with  whitish  edges  ;  back  of  neck  ashy-gray  ; 
foreneck,  the  sides  and  portion  of  breast  grayish,  with  dusky  streaks  or  spots  ;  chin 
upper  part  of  throat,  breast,  except  on  sides,  belly  and  crissum  white  ;  axillars, 
lining  of  wings,  primary  coverts  and  ends  of  primaries  black  ;  most  of  the  upper 
tail-coverts,  most  of  the  secondaries  and  a  large  space  on  primaries,  white  ;  tail  ashy- 
white  with  fine  dusky  markings.  Length  about  16  inches  ;  extent  about  28. 

Habitat.— Temperate  North  America,  south  to  the  West  Indies  and  Brazil. 

Bare  and  irregular  spring  and  fall  migrant  in  eastern  Pennsylvania, 
and  when  observed  here  is,  usually,  seen  late  in  August.  Mr.  Sennett, 
and  the  Messrs.  Thompson,  of  Erie  city,  have  never  known  the  Willet 
to  visit  that  locality ;  and  none  of  the  naturalists  and  collectors,  whose 
reports  are  before  me,  have  observed  this  species  in  any  of  the  central, 
northern  or  western  counties  of  the  state.  I  have  two  specimens,  one 
taken  in  Delaware  county  (August,  1885),  the  other  was  killed  by  flying 
against  a  telegraph  wire  along  the  Brandywine,  in  Chester  county 
(August,  1887).  Dr.  Detwiller,  of  Bethlehem,  has  secured  specimens 
(mostly  "  after  severe  fall  equinoctial  storms  "  about  the  Delaware  and 
Lehigh  rivers.  Mr.  W.  H.  Buller,  Lancaster  county,  says :  "  The  Wil- 
let has,  occasionally,  been  killed  on  the  gravel  bars  along  the  Susque- 
hanna  river ;  the  last  one,  to  my  knowledge,  was  captured  in  the  autumn 
of  1878." 

The  Willet  subsists,  mainly,  according  to  different  writers,  on  worms, 
various  aquatic  insects,  small  crabs,  minute  shell  fish,  small  shells,  etc. 

GENUS  BARTRAMIA  LESSON. 
Bartramia  longicauda  (BECHST.). 

Bartramian  Sandpiper ;  Grass  Plover ;  Field  Plover ;  Upland  Plover. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  68). 

Bill  about  as  long  as  head  and  nearly  straight ;  upper  mandible  with  long  grooves 
on  sides  in  front  of  nostrils ;  neck,  legs  and  tail  long  ;  lower  part  of  tibiae  naked  ; 
legs  rather  slender  ;  toes,  especially  the  hind  one,  rather  long  and  slender,  outer  toe 
and  middle  joined  by  small  basal  web  ;  sexes  alike  ;  no  marked  seasonal  changes  in 
plumage.  Upper  parts  mostly  brownish-black,  most  of  the  feathers  with  tawny  and 
whitish  edgings ;  top  of  head  and  back  darkest ;  crown  divided  by  a  narrow  buff 
line ;  lower  part  of  back  and  rump  plain  brownish-black  ;  chin  and  upper  throat 
white ;  neck  and  breast  faint  yellowish  or  whitish  with  numei-ous  streaks  and  spots 
of  dusky  ;  lower  part  of  breast,  abdomen  and  crissum  white  ;  axillars  and  lining  of 
wings,  barred  with  black  and  white  ;  wing  quills  black  and  brown,  with  white  bars 
on  inner  webs :  middle  tail  feathers  darkest,  others  pale-buff  with  bars,  spots  or 


Plate  22. 


2. 


Flicker. 
1.  Male;  2.  Female. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


93 


stripes  of  white  and  black  ;  tip  and  top  of  bill  blackish,  rest  yellowish ;  legs  yel- 
low ;  eyes  brown  ;  length  about  12^  inches  ;  extent  about  23. 

Habitat.—  Eastern  North  America,  north  to  Nova  Scotia  and  Alaska,  breeding 
throughout  its  North  American  range  ;  migrating  in  winter  southward  as  far  even 
as  southern  South  America.  Occasional  in  Europe. 

This  bird,  known  to  sportsmen  as  the  Field  or  Grass  Plover,  is' 
a  common  migrant  and  summer  resident  in  Pennsylvania  from  about 
the  20th  of  April  until  September.  This  species  resides  during  the 
breeding-  season  in  grass  fields  and  highlands.  In  this  particular  it 
differs  from  others  of  its  family.  Often  in  the  summer  these  birds  alight 
on  fences  along  the  roadside,  in  trees,  etc.,  and  raise  their  long  wings  to 
their  full  extent.  When  breeding  these  birds  are  found  singly  or  in 
pairs,  and  they  are  then  quite  unsuspicious,  often  allowing  a  very  near 
approach  before  they  take  to  wing  or  run  off  and  hide  in  the  grass,  but 
in  the  late  summer  when  assembled  in  flocks  they  become  exceedingly 
shy  and  difficult  of  approach.  Many  gunners  who  shoot  every  season,  in 
August,  large  numbers  of  these  delicious  game  birds,  generally  go  on 
horseback  or  in  wagons  in  order  to  get  within  easy  range  of  their  fleet- 
footed,  swift-winged  and  wary  game.  Nests  on  the  ground,  the  spotted 
eggs,  three  to  four,  measure  a  little  over  1^  inches  long  by  a  trifle  more 
than  H  inches  broad.  Its  ordinary  note  is  a  rather  loud  yet  soft  and  pleas- 
ing whistle,  but  when  breeding  it  frequently  utters  a  loud,  prolonged  and 
tremulous  piercing  scream,  which,  when  heard  at  considerable  distance, 
sounds  very  much  like  the  sudden  cry  of  a  child  in  great  distress.  Late 
in  July  and  in  August,  or  when  the  young  are  amply  able  to  provide  for 
themselves,  the  plovers  collect  in  flocks  of  six,  eight  a  dozen,  or  twenty, 
and  sometimes  many  more,  and  frequent  grass  fields  and  meadows, 
particularly  Avhere  grasshoppers,  which  are  one  of  their  favorite  articles 
of  food,  are  abundant. 

By  the  last  of  September  but  few  of  the  species  are  found  in  the  in- 
terior, as  they  appear  to  soon  leave  the  breeding  grounds  and  migrate 
towards  the  seacoast  and  large  tide  rivers. 

In  addition  to  feeding  on  different  forms  of  insect-life,  especially  beetles 
and  grasshoppers,  the  plover  often  eats  various  kinds  of  berries  and  seeds. 
Fourteen  of  these  birds,  which  I  have  examined,  were  found  to  have  fed 
on  the  following-named  insects,  etc. : 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY  . 

FOOU-MATEKIALS. 

1 

Ju]y   —  4    187p) 

Willistown    Pa 

Beetles  * 

2 
3 
4 

Julv  —  ,  187»,       .    .   . 
July  —  .  1879  
June  6,  1880. 

Wiliistown,  Pa  
Willistown.  Pa  

Various  insects.  * 
Grasshoppers.  * 
Beetles 

5 

June  «.  1880  

Honeybrook,  Pa  

Beetles. 

6 

7 
8 

Sept.  15,  1880        .   .   . 
Sept.  15,  1880       ... 
AUR  20.  1883 

Philadelphia  Market.  Pa., 
Philadelphia  Market.  Pa.. 

Small  "  worm?." 
Beetles. 

9 
10 
11 
12 

Aug.  20,  1883        .    . 
Aug.  ~>0.  1883 
AUK.  20.  1883 
AUK.  14    1884     . 

Chester  county.  Pa.      .  . 
Chester  county.  Pa.      .  . 
Chester  county.  Pa.       .   . 
Chester  countv,  Pa.       .  . 

Grasshoppers. 
Grasshoppers. 
Grasshoppers  and  fragments  of  hi-ct  \c*. 
Grasshoppers. 

13 
14 

AUK.  14,  1884     .... 
Aug.  14,  1884 

Chester  county.  Pa.      .  .   . 

Dipterous  Insects. 

Young  birds. 


94  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

GENUS  ACTITIS  ILLIGER. 
Actitis  macularia  (LiNN.). 

Spotted  Sandpiper;  Tilt-up. 

DESCRIPTION     (Plate  81). 

Bill  straight,  slender  and  a  little  longer  than  head ;  mandibles  grooved ;  lower 
third  of  tibise  bare  ;  legs  rather  long ;  toes  long,  the  outer  and  middle  have  basal 
web.  Size  small ;  sexes  alike  ;  adults  in  winter  and  young  very  similar. 

A dult.—  Length  about  1\  inches ;  extent  about  13| ;  bill  pale  yellow,  with  black 
tip ;  eyes  brown  ;  legs  pale  flesh  color.  Upper  parts  grayish  or  brownish  olive  with 
greenish  or  bronzy  lustre  and  irregular  spots,  streaks,  and  lines  of  blackish  ;  white 
streak  over  eye  ;  lower  parts  white  with  numerous  rounded  black  spots.  The  young 
and  adults  in  winter  have  less  metallic  lustre  on  upper  Darts,  and  under  parts  are 
white  or  nearly  white. 

Habitat. — North  and  South  America,  south  to  Brazil.  Breeds  throughout  tem- 
perate North  America.  Occasional  in  Europe. 

The  Tilt-up,  as  this  sandpiper  is  universally  known  in  this  section, 
arrives  in  Pennsylvania  about  the  middle  of  April,  sometimes  even  earlier. 
It  is  common  and  indigenous.  The  nest  is  placed  on  the  ground  in  a 
grass  field,  sometimes  in  a  grain  field,  or  on  the  sandy  bank  near  streams 
and  ponds,  along  which  these  birds  are  commonly  found  industriously 
seeking  their  hidden  prey.  The  creamy  or  buff  colored  eggs,  from  two 
to  five  in  number,  are  spotted  and  blotched  with  different  shades  of 
brown  and  black.  This  bird,  like  other  of  the  waders,  places  its  eggs 
in  the  nest  with  the  small  ends  together.  Wilson  very  properly  says : 
"  This  species  is  as  remarkable  for  perpetually  wagging  the  tail  as  some 
others  are  for  nodding  the  head  ;  for,  whether  running  on  the  ground, 
or  on  fences,  along  the  rails,  or  in  the  water,  this  motion  seems  continual ; 
even  the  young,  soon  after  they  are  freed  from  the  shell,  run  about  con- 
stantly wagging  the  tail."  When  you  approach  the  eggs  or  young  the 
old  birds  manifest  great  concern.  They  flutter  along  the  ground  as  if 
injured,  and  should  you  follow  and  attempt  to  catch  them  they  will  lead 
you  to  a  considerable  distance  from  their  treasures  before  flying  off. 
Wilson  mentions  the  following  instance,  which  shows  the  great  solici- 
tude which  the  female  has  for  her  young :  "  My  venerable  friend,  Mr. 
William  Barton,  informs  me  that  he  saw  one  of  these  birds  defend  her 
young  for  a  considerable  time  from  the  repeated  attacks  of  a  ground 
squirrel.  The  scene  of  action  was  on  the  river  shore.  The  parent  had 
thrown  herself,  with  her  two  young  behind  her,  between  them  and  the 
land,  and  at  every  attempt  of  the  squirrel  to  seize  them  by  a  circuitous 
sweep,  raised  both  her  wings  in  an  almost  perpendicular  position,  as- 
suming the  most  formidable  appearance  she  was  capable  of,  and  rushed 
forwards  on  the  squirrel,  who,  intimidated  by  her  boldness  and  manner, 
instantly  retreated ;  but  presently  returning,  was  met,  as  before,  in  front 
and  on  flank  by  the  daring  and  affectionate  bird,  who,  with  her  wings 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  95 

and  whole  plumage  bristling-  up,  seemed  swelled  to  twice  her  usual  size. 
The  young  crowded  together  behind  her,  apparently  sensible  of  their 
perilous  situation,  moving  backwards  and  forwards  as  she  advanced  or 
retreated.  This  interesting  scene  lasted  for  at  least  ten  minutes ;  the 
strength  of  the  poor  parent  began  evidently  to  flag,  and  the  attacks  of 
the  squirrel  became  more  daring  and  frequent,  when  my  good  friend, 
like  one  of  those  celestial  agents  who,  in  Homer's  time,  so  often  decided 
the  palm  of  victory,  stepped  forward  from  his  retreat,  drove  the  assail- 
ant back  to  his  hole,  and  rescued  the  innocent  from  destruction."  To 
escape  capture  when  wounded  the  Tilt-up  will  resort  to  many  devices. 
One  day  when  out  shooting  along  Beaver  creek,  a  tributary  of  the  Bran- 
dywine,  about  two  miles  from  West  Chester,  I  crippled  one  of  these 
birds  ;  it  fell  to  the  ground  and  ran  rapidly  to  the  edge  of  the  stream, 
which  at  this  point  was  probably  ten  feet  wide.  The  water  was  about  a 
foot  deep,  perfectly  clear,  and,  except  on  one  side  for  about  eighteen 
inches,  was  dammed  back  and  remained  quite  motionless.  I  approached 
the  bird,  when,  to  my  great  surprise,  it  plunged  into  the  water  and  went 
down  to  the  sandy  bottom  like  a  stone.  It  ran  on  the  bottom  seemingly 
without  any  difficulty,  and  even  through  the  swiftly  running  water  along 
the  edge,  came  up  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  stream  and  thrust  its  head 
into  some  long  grass,  but  kept  its  body  submerged.  The  bird  repeated 
this  performance  three  times  before  I  secured  it.  The  Tilt-up  is  not  gre- 
garious. 

The  Spotted  Sandpiper  is  also  known  by  many  as  Peet-weet,  a  name 
given  in  imitation  of  its  rather  shrill  cry.  This  species  feeds  almost  ex- 
clusively on  insects,  such  as  beetles,  flies,  grasshoppers,  larvae,  worms,  etc. 

GENUS  NUMENIUS  BRISSON. 
Numenius  longirostris    WILSON. 

Long-billed  Curlew;  Sickle-bill. 

DESCRIPTION. 

"  The  largest  American  species  of  this  genus  ;  bill  very  long,  much  curved  ;  upper 
mandible  longer  than  the  under,  somewhat  knobbed  at  the  tip  ;  wing  rather  long  ; 
legs  moderate  ;  toes  united  at  base  ;  entire  upper  parts  pale-rufous,  tinged  with  ashy  ; 
every  feather  with  transverse  and  confluent  bands  of  brownish-black,  most  numerous 
and  predominating  on  the  back  and  scapulars  ;  secondary  quills,  under  wing-coverts, 
and  axillaries,  bright  rufous  ;  primaries  with  their  outer  webs  brownish-black,  and 
their  inner  webs  rufous,  with  transverse  bands  of  black  ;  under  parts  pale-rufous, 
with  longitudinal  lines  of  black  on  the  neck  and  sides  ;  tail  rufous,  tinged  with  ashy, 
transversely  barred  with  brownish-black  ;  bill  brownish-black  ;  base  of  under  man- 
dible reddish-yellow ;  legs  bluish-brown  ;  specimens  vary  to  some  extent  in  the 
shade  of  the  rufous  color  of  the  plumage,  and  very  much  in  the  length  of  the  bill  ; 
the  rufous  color  is  probably  more  distinct  in  the  young.  Length  about  25  inches 
(extent  about  38)  ;  tail  4  ;  bill  5  to  8  ;  tarsus  2*  inches."— B.  B.  of  N.  A. 

Habitat.— Temperate  North  America,  migrating  south  to  Guatemala  and  the  West 
Indies.  Breeds  in  the  South  Atlantic  states,  and  in  the  interior,  through  most  of  its 
North  American  range. 


96  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


I  have  never  met  with  the  Long-billed  Curlew  in  Pennsylvania,  where 
it  occurs  only  as  a  rare  and  irregular  migrant,  in  the  spring  and  fall. 
The  late  Judge  Libhart,  in  his  report,  mentions  this  species  as  a  rare 
visitor  in  Lancaster  county.  Mr.  D.  F.  Keller,  of  Reading,  says  it  has 
been  taken  in  Berks  county,  and  Mr.  Thomas  S.  Gillin,  of  Ambler,  has 
observed  it  as  an  occasional  visitor  in  Montgomery  county.  Dr.  Coues 
(Birds  of  the  Northwest}  says:  "Unlike  our  other  two  species  of  curlew, 
the  Long-billed  is  perfectly  at  home  in  most  parts  of  the  United  States, 
rearing  its  young  even  down  on  our  southern  border.  Its  northern 
range  is  restricted,  apparently,  by  the  region  of  the  Saskatchewan,  as 
intimated  by  Eichardson,  and  the  length  of  the  British  Provinces  ad- 
joining the  United  States.  I  was,  however,  assured  of  its  occurrence  in 
Labrador,  though  I  did  not  see  it  myself.  In  New  England  it  appears 
to  be  rather  uncommon,  according  to  all  accounts.  *  *  *  I  found  it 
resident  on  the  North  Carolina  coast,  where  it  undoubtedly  breeds.  I 
found  it  breeding  with  Godwits  and  Bartramian  Tattlers  on  the  prairies 
of  Minnesota  and  eastern  Dakota,  and  likewise  observed  it  in  June,  ap- 
parently breeding,  in  New  Mexico,  near  Fort  Wingate,  just  west  of  the 
Rio  Grande.  *  *  *  It  is  by  no  means  confined  to  the  vicinity  of  the 
water,  but,  on  the  contrary,  is  often  seen  on  extensive  dry  plains,  where 
it  feeds  on  various  molluscs,  insects  and  berries,  which  it  deftly  secures 
with  its  extraordinarily  long  bill.  The  length  and  curve  of  this  member, 
gives  the  bird  a  singular  and  unmistakable  appearance,  either  in  flight 
or  when  gathering  its  food.  Its  voice  is  sonorous  and  not  at  all  musical." 

Numenius  borealis  (FORST.)- 

Eskimo  Curlew;  Dough-bird. 

DESCRIPTION. 

"  Much  smaller  than  the  preceding ;  bill  rather  longer  than  the  head,  slender  ;  wings 
long ;  tail  short ;  legs  moderate  ;  entire  upper  parts  brownish-black,  spotted  with 
dull  yellowish-rufous ;  quills  brownish-black,  uniform  on  both  webs,  without  bars 
on  either  ;  under  wing-coverts  and  axillaries  light-rufous,  with  transverse  stripes  of 
brownish-black ;  under  parts  dull-white,  tinged  with  rufous,  with  longitudinal 
narrow  stripes  of  brownish-black  on  the  neck  and  breast,  and  transverse  stripes  of 
the  same  on  the  sides  and  under  tail-coverts  ;  tail  ashy-brown,  with  transverse  bands 
of  brownish- black  ;  bill  brownish-black  ;  base  of  under  mandible  yellow  ;  legs  green- 
ish-brown ;  iris  dark-brown.  Length  about  13^  inches  ;  (extent  about  28)  ;  bill  2|  to 
2i  ;  tarsus  If."— B.  B.  of  N.  A. 

Habitat.— Eastern  Province  of  North  America,  breeding  in  the  Arctic  regions, 
and  migrate  south  to  South  America. 

Bare  spring  and  fall  migrant.  A  few  of  t^ese  birds  are  seen  every 
year  about  the  shores  of  Erie  bay,  where,  in  October,  1889,  two  were  shot 
by  Mr.  James  Thompson,  of  Erie  city. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  97 


FAMILY  CHARADRIID^E.     PLOVERS. 

THE  PLOVERS. 

About  a  dozen  species  and  two  or  three  varieties  of  this  large  and  important  family, 
containing,  it  is  said,  nearly  a  hundred  species  of  all  parts  of  the  world,  are  recorded 
as  occurring  in  North  America.  In  the  eastern  United  States  six  species  are  of  regu- 
lar occurrence.  One — the  Killdeers — breeds  in  Pennsylvania ;  the  others  which 
visit  here,  are  found  only  as  migrants  in  the  spring  and  fall.  Species  which 
occur  in  this  state  frequent  mostly  the  gravelly  and  sandy  shores  of  rivers,  large 
creeks  and  lakes,  or  the  muddy  banks  of  ponds  ;  some,  however,  are  often  observed 
about  plowed  grounds,  and  in  grass  or  stubble  tields  quite  remote  from  water. 
They  feed  largely  on  an  animal  diet,  consisting  chiefly  of  beetles,  grasshoppers, 
"worms,"  larvae,  fresh-water  shells,  etc.  ;  and  some,  also,  occasionally,  eat  small 
seeds  and  berries.  At  times,  other  than  when  breeding,  Plovers  are  gregarious,  and 
are  often  found,  during  migrations,  in  company  with  different  species  of  the  Shore 
Birds.  These  birds  are  strong  and  swift  flyers.  They  run  with  great  rapidity  and 
when  migrating  some  often  fly  at  a  considerable  elevation.  The  Killdeers,  and  per- 
haps all,  migrate  at  night  The  spotted  and  pyriform  eggs,  usually  four  in  number, 
are  placed  in  a  rude  nest,  or,  commonly,  in  a  slight  depression  in  the  bare  ground. 
The  eggs,  like  those  of  the  Spotted  Sandpiper,  lay  in  the  nests  with  the  small  or 
pointed  ends  together.  Plovers  have  rather  heavy  and  plump  bodies,  large,  rounded 
heads,  short,  thick  necks,  and  only  three  toes,  except  in  squatarola,  which  has  a 
very  small  rudimentary  hind  toe.  The  legs  and  toes  are  rather  short  and  stout ;  the 
toes  have  basal  webs.  The  bill,  somewhat  like  that  of  a  pigeon's  in  shape,  is  short 
and  stout.  The  sexes  are  quite  similar,  but  the  changes  with  age  and  season  are 
very  marked. 


GENUS  CHARADRIUS  LINNAEUS. 
Charadrius  squatarola  (LiNN.). 

Black-bellied  Plover ;  Bull-head  Plover ;  Whistling  Field  Plover. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Very  small,  but  distinct,  hind  toe. 

Adult,  breeding  dress.— (Rarely  seen  in  the  U.  S.)  ;  bill,  legs,  lores,  chin,  throat 
and  front  of  neck,  breast,  except  sides,  most  of  abdomen  and  axillars  black;  upper 
parts  spotted  with  blackish  and  whitish  ;  forehead,  line  over  eye,  sides  of  neck, 
sides  of  breast,  tibiae,  posterior  part  of  abdomen,  under  tail-coverts  and  some  of  upper 
tail-coverts  white. 

Adults  and  young,  fall. — Lower  parts  white,  but  axillars  blackish;  upper  parts 
blackish,  with  grayish  spots ;  legs  dull  bluish  ;  young  have  upper  parts  speckled 
with  pale  golden-yellow.  Specimens  are  often  taken  in  the  fall  with  single  or  large 
patches  of  black  feathers  on  lower  parts.  Length  about  12  inches ;  extent  about  23  ; 
bill  about  1.10. 

Habitat.—  Nearly  cosmopolitan,  but  chiefly  in  the  Northern  Hemisphere,  breed- 
ing far  north,  and  migrating  south  in  winter  ;  in  America  to  the  West  Indies,  Bra- 
zil and  New  Grenada. 

Rather  rare  spring  and  fall  migrant ;  when  found  here  is  mostly  seen 
in  the  autumn,  when  it  is  oftener  met  with  in  the  vicinity  of  Lake  Erie 
than  elsewhere  in  the  state.  Generally  seen  singly,  in  pairs  or  small 
parties,  never,  according-  to  my  observation,  in  large  flocks  like  the 
Golden  Plover.  I  have  taken  two  specimens  in  Chester  county ;  Dr. 
7  BIKDS. 


98  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


Detwiller  has  observed  this  species  in  Lehighand  Northampton  counties 
as  a  rare  visitant,  and  Mr.  Thomas  S.  Gillin  reports  it  to  be  an  irregular 
migrant  in  Montgomery  county.  This  plover  has  also  been  noted 
either  as  a  straggler  or  irregular  migrant  in  other  parts  of  the  state  by 
the  following  gentlemen :  Dr.  Van  Fleet,  Clinton  county  ;  H.  A.  Ting- 
ley,  M.  D.,  Susquehanna  county ;  D.  F.  Keller,  Berks  county ;  George 
Spencer  Morris,  Philadelphia  county  and  W.  H.  Buller,  Lancaster 
county.  The  Black-bellied  Plover  is  mentioned  by  Audubon,  Wilson 
and  other  writers  as  breeding  in  Pennsylvania.  It  does  not  now  breed 
in  this  state,  but  retires  to  the  dreary  Arctic  regions  to  rear  its  young. 
This  species  feeds  on  beetles,  grasshoppers,  worms,  etc. ;  also,  occa- 
sionally, on  different  kinds  of  seeds  and  berries. 


Charadrius  dominicus  MULL. 

American  Golden  Plover  ;  Field  Plover  ;  Bull-head  Plover. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  82). 

This  bird,  very  similar  to  C.  squatarola,  can  easily  be  recognized  by  the  absence 
of  the  hind  toe  and  the  grayish  or  white  axillars  ;  the  dusky  or  blackish  upper  parts 
are  usually  more  brightly  spotted  with  golden-yellow. 

Habitat. — A.rctic  America,  migrating  southward  throughout  North  and  South 
America  to  Patagonia 

The  Golden  Plover  is  said  to  be  a  rather  common  and  regular  migrant 
in  the  vicinity  of  Lake  Erie,  especially  in  the  fall,  when,  frequently, 
large  numbers  of  these  birds  are  shot  in  the  meadows  and  fields  .about 
Erie  city.  This  bird  is  found  generally  throughout  the  commonwealth, 
but  is  very  irregular  in  its  visitations,  except  in  the  region,  about  the 
great  lake  to  the  north  of  Erie  county. 

I  have  never  seen  the  Golden  Plover  in  eastern  Pennsylvania  during 
the  spring  migrations,  and  as  an  autumnal  visitant  it  is  uncertain.  For 
several  consecutive  seasons  none  will  be  observed  in  certain  districts ; 
the  following  season,  however,  the  birds  will  be  found  abundantly  in 
these  same  districts.  The  largest  flight  of  Golden  Plovers  that  I  ever 
saw  in  this  section  (Chester  county)  was  in  the  fall  of  1880,  when  flocks 
of  from  fifty  to  one  hundred  were  quite  plentiful  about  the  plowed 
grounds  and  grass  fields  in  the  neighborhood  of  West  Chester.  Mr. 
Francis  Jacobs,  of  West  Chester,  informs  me  that  about  the  year  1860 
Bull-head*  Plovers  were  abundant  in  the  Great  Valley  and  in  the 
vicinity  of  West  Chester,  where,  in  September,  they  came  in  flocks  of  hun- 
dreds and  literally  covered  the  fields  where  wheat  had  been  sown.  "  In 
those  days  the  wheat  was  sown,  as  but  few  farmers  had  drills."  Mr.  Jacobs 
states  that  he  has  often  killed  fifteen  or  twenty  at  one  shot,  and,  in 
company  with  his  brother,  has  shot  two  hundred  or  more  in  one  day. 

*  The  name  Bull-head  is  given  to  both  the  Golden  and  Black-bellied  Plovers.  I  suppose  the  birds  men- 
tioned by  my  friend  Mr.  Jacobs  to  have  been  Golden  Plovers  (C'fyaradrius  dominicus). 


Plate  23. 


1.  Night- Hawk.    2,  Whip-poor- wilful  :\? 

Males.  :     ,\  -    — -, 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


These  birds  would  remain  about  two  weeks,  or  until  the  wheat  had 
sprouted.  They  subsisted  almost  exclusively  on  wheat.  My  informant 
states  that  prior  to  1860,  for  at  least  fifteen  years,  these  birds  annually, 
in  the  fall,  made  these  visits,  and  that  he  had  always  been  told,  when  a 
boy,  that  "Bull-heads"  were  abundant  every  year. 

Audubon  furnishes  the  following1  information  of  this  species :  "While 
searching  for  food  on  the  sand  or  mud  bars  of  the  seashore  they  move 
in  a  direct  manner,  often  look  sideways  toward  the  ground,  and  pick  up 
the  object  of  their  search  by  a  peculiar  bending  movement  of  the  body. 
They  are  frequently  observed  to  pat  the  moist  earth  with  their  feet  to 
force  worms  from  their  burrows.  In  autumn  they  betake  themselves  to 
the  higher  grounds,  where  berries  as  well  as  insects  are  to  be  met  with, 
and  where  they  find  abundance  of  grasshoppers." 

Five  of  these  plovers  taken  in  September  and  October,  1880,  in  Ches- 
ter county,  had  fed  chiefly  on  grasshoppers  and  beetles ;  one  had  in  its 
stomach  a  few  small  brownish  seeds,  with  several  large  beetles,  and  an- 
other had  its  stomach  gorged  with  grasshoppers  with  which  were  a  few 
small  black-colored  worms. 


GENUS  ^JGIALITIS  BOIK. 
vocifera  (LiNN.). 

Killdeer. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  11). 

Upper  parts  grayish-brown;  rump  and  upper  tail-coverts  brownish-orange  or  rusty ; 
forehead  and  under  parts  white,  except  two  black  bands  across  chest;  bill  black  ; 
iris  dark-brown ;  legs  grayish  or  dull  greenish-yellow ;  eyelids  scarlet.  Length 
about  9  or  10  inches  ;  extent  about  20  ;  tail  rounded  and  about  3|  inches  long  ;  bill  less 
than  an  inch  long. 

Habitat.—  Temperate  North  America,  migrating  in  winter  to  the  West  Indies  and 
central  and  northern  South  America. 

Reader,  I  am  sure  you  can  always  distinguish  this  bird  by  the  well- 
known  cry  which  gives  rise  to  its  common  name.  Should  you,  however, 
have  the  lifeless  body  of  one  of  these  birds,  you  can  without  any  diffi- 
culty distinguish  it  from  other  of  its  numerous  relatives  by  the  red  eye- 
lids and  long  legs.  In  addition  you  will  also  see  a  white  line,  with 
black  margin,  extending  over  the  bill,  between  the  eyes.  The  white 
feathers  of  the  throat  are  continuous,  with  a  conspicuous  and  immacu- 
late collar,  below  which  is  a  ring  of  black,  separated  by  a  streak  of  white 
from  a  band  of  black  across  the  breast. 

During  the  spring,  summer  and  autumn  the  Kildeer  is  common  in 
nearly  all  parts  of  Pennsylvania,  and  in  winter  it  is  quite  frequently 
observed,  particularly  in  the  southern  parts  of  the  state.  The  spotted 
pyriform  eggs,  usually  four  in  number,  are  placed  in  a  slight  hollow  in 
the  ground,  oftentimes  near  a  hill  of  corn. 


100 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


The  eg-g-s,  small  at  one  end  and  quite  pointed,  measure  about  1.50 
inches  long*  by  about  1.08  broad. 

"  The  food  of  this  species  consists  of  earth-worms,  grasshoppers, 
crickets  and  coleopterous  insects,  as  well  as  small  Crustacea,  whether  of 
salt  or  fresh  water,  and  snails.  Now  and  then  they  may  be  seen  thrust- 
ing- their  bills  into  the  mud  in  search  of  some  other  food.  During 
autumn  they  run  about  the  old  fields  and  catch  an  insect  which  the  blue- 
bird has  been  watching  with  anxious  care  from  the  top  of  a  withering 
mullein  stalk.  They  run  briskly  after  the  plowman  to  pick  up  the 
worms  that  have  been  turned  out  of  their  burrows.  Now  standing  on  the 
grassy  meadow,  after  a  shower,  you  see  them  patting  the  moist  ground, 
to  force  out  its  inhabitants.  During  winter  you  meet  with  them  on 
elevated  ground,  or  along  the  margins  of  the  rivers  ;  but  wherever  you 
observe  one  about  to  pick  up  its  food  you  clearly  see  its  body  moving  in 
a  see-saw  manner  on  the  joints  of  the  legs,  until  the  former  being  so 
placed  that  the  bill  can  reach  the  ground,  the  object  is  seized,  and  the 
usual  horizontal  position  is  resumed." — Audubon. 

The  food-materials,  with  date  of  collection  and  locality,  of  eleven 
Killdeers  examined  by  the  writer,  are  given  below : 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1 
2 
3 

April  10.  1879.     . 
April  30.  1879.     .          .   . 
June  18.  1879. 

Chester  county,  Pa  . 
Chester  county.  Pa.,    
Chester  county,  Pa., 

Snails  and  beetles. 
Earth-worms. 
Beetles. 

4 
5 

6 

Nov.  14.  1879.     .          .   . 
May  15.  1880.     .          .   . 
May  15,  1880,     .  .   . 

Lancaster  county,  Pa  
Chester  county,  Pa  
Chester  county.  Pa.,   

Fragments  of  fresh  water  shells. 
Earth-worms. 
Earth-worms  and  larvae. 

Aug.  21,  1880  

Delaware  county,  Pa.. 

Grasshoppers  and  small  seeds. 

8 

Dec.  13,  1881.     .  . 

Chester  county,  Pa.  ,   

Grasshoppers  . 

9 
10 

July  31,  1883  
July    31    1883 

Chester  county,  Pa  

Beetles  and  larvae. 
Beetles 

11 

Sept.  20,  1884  

Chester  county,  Pa.  ,      .   . 

Grasshoppers  and  seeds. 

-ZEgialitis  semipalmata  BONAP. 

Semipalmated  Plover ;  Ring-neck  ;  Ring  Plover. 

DESCRIPTION. 

"Small ;  wings  long,  toes  connected  at  base,  especially  the  outer  to  the  middle  toe; 
forehead,  throat,  ring  around  neck  (behind)  and  entire  under  parts  white  ;  a  band 
of  deep  black  across  the  breast,  extending  around  the  back  of  neck  below  the  white 
ring.  Band  from  the  base  ot  bill  under  the  eye,  and  wider  frontal  band  above  the 
white  band  black  ;  upper  parts  ashy  brown  ;  quills  brownish-black  with  their  shafts 
white  in  a  middle  portion  ;  *  *  *  *  shorter  tertiaries  edged  with  white  ;  greater 
coverts  tipped  with  white  ;  middle  feathers  of  the  tail  ashy-brown,  with  a  wide  sub- 
terminal  band  of  brownish-black,  and  narrowly  tipped  with  white  ;  two  outer  tail- 
feathers  white,  others  intermediate,  like  the  middle,  but  widely  tipped  with  white  ; 
bill  orange-yellow  at  base,  black  terminally  ;  legs  pale  flesh  color. 

"Female  similar,  but  rather  lighter  colored. 

"  Young  with  the  black  replaced  by  ashy-brown,  the  feathers  of  the  upper  parts 
bordered  with  paler  (bill  almost  entirely  black).  Total  length  about  7  inches  ;  (ex- 
tent about  15,)  bill  45.  to  .50  ;  tarsus  .95."— B,  B.  and  R.  B.  of  N.  A. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  101 


I/(t?ritat.—Arctic  and  subarctic  America,  migrating  south  throughout  tropical 
America,  as  far  as  Brazil  and  Peru. 

The  Semipalmated  Plover  is  a  rather  common  migrant  (especially  in 
the  fall)  about  the  lake  shore  and  bay,  in  Erie  county,  where  small  flocks 
often  in  company  with  Piping  Plovers  and  the  small  sandpipers,  are 
seen.  The  Ringneck,  as  it  is  called  by  some,  also  occurs  more  or  less 
frequently,  usually  singly  or  in  pairs,  and  sometimes  in  small  flocks 
with  other  species,  particularly  during  the  fall  migrations  along  the 
shores  of  our  principal  rivers.  The  Ring  Plover  arrives  in  the  Erie 
region  early  in  May,  and  after  breeding  north  of  the  United  States, 
returns  again  in  August,  and  remains  until  late  in  September.  This 
little  plover  can  easily  be  recognized  from  the  next  by  the  extent  of  the 
web,  which  extends  to  the  second  joint  between  the  outer  and  middle 
toes.  This  species,  according  to  different  writers,  feeds  on  insects, 
worms,  small  Crustacea,  mollusca  and  the  eggs  of  fish  and  other  marine 
animals. 


.ffigialitis  meloda 

Piping  Plover. 

DESCRIPTION. 

"  About  the  size  of  JE.  semipalmata  ;  bill  short ;  strong. 

"  Adult  male. — Forehead,  ring  around  back  of  neck,  and  entire  under  parts, white  ; 
a  band  of  black  in  front  above  the  band  of  white  ;  band  encircling  the  neck  before 
and  behind,  but  usually  interrupted  in  the  middle  of  breast,  black,  immediately 
below  the  ring  of  white  on  the  neck  behind.  Head  above  and  upper  parts  of  body 
light  brownish  cinereous  ;  rump  and  upper  tail-coverts  lighter,  and  often  white ; 
quills  dark  brown,  with  a  large  portion  of  their  inner  webs  and  shafts  white ;  shorter 
primaries  with  a  large  portion  of  their  outer  webs  white  ;  tail  at  base  white,  and  with 
the  outer  feathers  white  ;  middle  feathers  with  a  wide  sub-terminal  band  of  brown- 
ish-black, and  tipped  with  white.  Bill  orange  at  base,  tipped  with  black  ;  legs  orange 
yellow. 

"  Female  similar  to  male,  but  with  the  dark  colors  brighter  and  less  in  extent, 

"  Young. — No  black  band  in  front ;  collar  around  the  back  of  the  neck  ashy-brown/' 
— B.  B.  and  R.  B.  of  N.  A. 

Habitat.— Eastern  province  of  North  America,  breeding  from  the«coast  of  Virginia 
(at  least  formerly)  northward  ;  in  winter,  West  Indies.  ;  •  \\l  I  \  ; 

The  Piping  Plover,  an  abundant  summer  resident  pn  jth^Atlajj^k?; 
coast  of  the  United  States,  breeding,  it  is  said,  from  irke-Carolinas  iiortji-" 
ward  to  the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence,  is  found  in  the  same  localities  in  Penn- 
sylvania as  its  near  relative,  the  Semipalmated  Plover.  During  migra- 
tions the  Piping  Plover,  so  called  because  of  rather  soft,  musical  and 
plaintive  note,  is  about  as  plentiful  in  the  Lake  Erie  region  as  the  Semi- 
palmated, but  elsewhere  in  our  state  it  appears  to  be  quite  a  rare  and 
irregular  visitor.  I  have  never  met  with  this  bird  in  any  part  of  Penn- 
sylvania except  at  Erie  bay.  The  late  Judge  Libhart  found  it  in  autumn 
v  along  the  Susquehanna,  in  Lancaster  county,  where  it  has,  also,  recently 


102  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


been  observed  by  Dr.  Treichler,  of  Elizabethtown.  Stragglers  have 
been  taken  in  the  fall,  after  severe  storms  from  the  Atlantic  coast,  when 
feeding-  along  the  shoals  and  shores  of  the  Delaware  and  Lehigh  rivers, 
by  Dr.  John  W.  Detwiller,  of  Northampton  county,  and  Mr.  T.  L.  Neff 
has  found  it  in  Cumberland  county.  The  food  of  the  Piping  Plover  is 
similar  to  that  of  previously  mentioned  species. 


-ffigialitis  wilsonia  (ORD.). 

Wilson's  Plover. 

DESCRIPTION. 

"Bill  large  and  stout,  longer  than  middle  toe. 

"Adult  male. — Frontal  crescent,  extending  back  on  each  side  of  the  crown  to  beyond 
the  eye,  ends  of  greater  wing-coverts,  shafts  of  primaries,  and  entire  lower  parts, 
pure  white  ;  crescentric  patch  covering  fore  part  of  the  crown,  lores,  and  wide  band 
across  the  jugulum,  black  ;  occiput  more  or  less  strongly  suffused  with  oceraceous, 
especially  laterally  and  posteriorly.  Upper  parts  (except  as  described)  uniiorm 
brownish  gray,  the  remiges  (i.  e.  long  wing  feathers)  darker. 

"A  dull  female.—  Similar  to  the  male,  but  the  black  replaced  by  brownish  gray,  the 
jugular  collar  tinged  with  oceraceous.  (The  young  very  similar  to  female.)  Bill 
black  ;  eyelids  grayish ;  iris  brown ;  legs  and  feet  pale  grayish  flesh  color.  Total 
length  about  7.75 ;  extent  16.00 ;  culmen  .80  ;  tarsus  1.25  ;  middle  toe  .75."— B.  B.  and 
It.  B.  of  N.  A. 

Habitat.— Coasts  of  North  and  South  America,  from  Long  Island  and  Lower  Cali- 
fornia southward  to  Brazil  and  Peru,  including  the  West  Indies.  Casual  to  Nova 
Scotia. 

Wilson's  Plover  may  readily  be  recognized  from  either  of  the  two  spe- 
cies last  mentioned,  by  the  rather  large  head,  black,  large  and  heavy 
bill.  This  species  breeds  in  New  Jersey  and  along  the  seacoast  of  some, 
perhaps  all,  of  the  south  Atlantic  states,  where,  as  well  as  about  the 
coasts  of  the  gulf  states,  it  is  common,  often  being  found,  when  migrat- 
ing, in  small  flocks.  I  have  never  found  this  plover  in  Pennsylvania, 
nor  has  it  ever  been  seen  about  Lake  Erie  by  Mr.  George  B.  Sennett. 
The  late  Judge  Libhart,  in  his  ornithological  report  of  Lancaster  county, 
says  Wilson's  Plover  is  "  frequent  on  the  beach  (Susquehanna)  in  au- 
tumn," ,  A  few  stragglers  have  been  captured  about  some  of  our  larger 
-migrations,  and  reported  to  me  as  follows :  James  Galen 
t  :A.:C.  Treichler,  both  of  Lancaster  county;  Hon.  Gerard  C. 
Srcwn,  'York  cchmfy ;  W.  W.  Stoey,  Dauphin  county ;  Dr.  John  W.  Det- 
willer, Northampton  county,  and  Mr.  T.  L.  Neff,  of  Carlisle,  Cumberland 
county.  Their  food  is  said  to  consist  almost  entirely  of  minute  shell- 
fish, worms  and  small  insects. 


Plate  24. 


Tyrant  Flycatcher,  or  King  Bird. 
1.  Male;  2.  Female. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  103 


FAMILY  APHRIZID-ffi.  TURNSTONES,  ETC. 
SUBFAMILY  ARENAB1IN.&.  TURNSTONES. 

THE  TURNSTONES. 

Two  species  of  this  subfamily,  the  common  Turnstone  and  the  Black  Turnstone, 
are  found  in  the  United  States.  They  breed  commonly  in  the  Arctic  regions.  The 
common  Turnstone  is  abundant  on  the  Atlantic  coast  during  migrations.  The  Black 
Turnstone  has  never  been  observed  on  the  Atlantic  side,  but  is  numerous  on  the 
Pacific  coast  "from  the  Alentian  Islands,  south  to  Monterey,  California."  The  name, 
Turnstone,  is  derived  from  its  curious  habit  of  turning  over  small  stones,  etc.,  when 
scratching  for  food,  consisting  almost  entirely  of  different  forms  of  aquatic  insect- 
life.  Both  species,  it  is  stated,  nest  on  or  near  the  sea  beach,  and  deposit  their  eggs 
in  slight  depressions  in  the  sand  or  shingle.  The  eggs,  said  to  be  two  to  four  in 
number,  are  described  as  light  olive,  spotted  or  speckled  all  over  with  brown. 
Turnstones  are  rather  small-sized  birds,  but,  like  a  plover,  robust  in  form.  The  head 
is  small,  neck  short,  wings  long  and  pointed,  and  when  folded  reach  almost  to  the 
end  of  the  rather  shortand  very  slightly  rounded  tail.  Lower  part  of  tibiae  naked;  legs 
short  and  stout;  four  toes,  hind  one  well  developed,  and  like  the  others  has  a  sharp 
pointed  and  curved  claw;  anterior  toes  have  no  basal  webs.  The  bill,  shorter  than 
the  head,  is  stout,  hard,  much  higher  than  wide,  and  tapers  to  a  sharp  point.  Broad 
nasal  fossse  extend  about  half  the  length  of  maxilla.  The  sexes  are  alike,  but  they 
vary  considerably  with  age  and  season. 


GENUS  ARENARIA  BRISSON. 
Arenaria  interpres  (LiNN.). 

Turnstone ;  Calico-Back ;  Calico-snipe,  etc. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  82). 

Adult  in  spring.— Bill  black;  eyes  brown;  legs  orange  red;  throat  most  of  head 
above  (except  middle  of  crown,  which  is  streaked  with  black  and  reddish)  lower 
part  of  back,  some  upper  tail-coverts,  sides  under  surface  of  wings,  lower  part  of 
breast,  belly  and  under  tail-coverts,  white  ;  upper  part  of  back  and  wings  varied 
with  black,  brown  and  ferruginous.  The  greater  wing.coverts  and  some  secondaries 
are  mostly  white;  upper  part  of  breast,  fore  neck,  broad  patches  under  eyes;  broad 
bars  on  sides  of  neck,  black.  The  young  have  colors  much  duller  with  little  or  no 
black  or  bright  ferruginous.  Length  about  9£  inches;  extent  about  18£ ;  bill  little 
less  than  1  inch. 

Habitat. — Nearly  cosmopolitan.  In  America  from  Greenland  and  Alaska  to  the 
straights  of  Magellan;  more  or  less  common  in  the  interior  of  North  America  on  the 
shores  of  the  great  lakes  and  the  larger  rivers.  Breeds  in  high  northern  latitudes. 

Specimens  of  this  species  have  been  obtained  at  Erie  bay  by  Messrs. 
George  B.  Sennett  and  James  Thompson,  where  this  bird  occurs  much 
oftener  during-  migrations  than  elsewhere  in  Pennsylvania. 

I  have  seen  two  or  three  Turnstones  which  were  killed  in  the  fall,  after 
severe  storms,  in  Philadelphia  and  Delaware  counties.  This  species  has 
also  been  observed  about  the  shores  of  the  Susquehanna  by  Senator 
Gerard  C.  Brown,  York  county,  W.  W.  Stoey,  Dauphin  county,  and  Dr. 
A.  C.  Treichler,  Lancaster  county. 


104  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


ORDER  GALLING.    GALLINACEOUS  BIRDS. 

SUBORDER  PHASIANI.     PHEASANTS,  QUAIL,  ETC. 
FAMILY  TETRAONID-ffi.     GROUSE,  ETC. 

THE  GROUSE  AND  QUAIL. 

Only  two  species  of  this  large  and  important  family,  containing  some  of  the  best 
known  and  most  highly  prized  game  birds,  are  found  in  Pennsylvania.  These,  the 
Ruffed  Grouse  or  Pheasant,  and  the  Quail  or  Partridge,  are  reported  as  natives  in 
nearly  every  county  in  the  commonwealth.  Fifty,  sixty  or  more  years  ago  the 
Prairie  Hen  (  Tympanuchus  americanus,  Reich. )  was,  it  is  stated,  rather  common  in 
certain  parts  of  the  state.  Dr.  Win.  P.  Turnbull*  writing,  in  1869,  of  the  Prairie 
Hen,  says :  "  Now  very  rare.  A  few  are  still  met  with  in  Monroe  and  Northampton 
counties,  where  I  have  shot  the  species."  In  recent  years  unsuccessful  efforts  have 
been  made  to  introduce  to  Pennsylvania,  with  a  view  to  naturalization,  the  Prairie 
Hen,  the  European  or  Migratory  Quail  (Coturnix  coturnix,  Linn.)  and  the  Califor- 
nia Partridge  (Callipepla  californica,  Shaw).  The  Ruffed  Grouse,  an  inhabitant 
principally  of  woods  and  thickets,  is  most  numerous  in  the  mountainous  and  ele- 
vated districts.  The  Quail,  or  Bob-white,  prefers  the  open  fields,  meadows  and 
pastures,  hence  is  most  plentiful  in  the  fertile  and  productive  agricultural  regions, 
especially  in  the  southeastern  and  some  of  the  southern  and  western  counties. 
Both  species  nest  commonly  on  the  ground,  and  lay  many  buff-colored  or  white 
eggs.  The  young,  covered  with  a  brownish  and  blackish  down,  are  able  to  run  as 
soon  as  they  are  out  of  the  shell,  and  they  possess  an  ability  to  hide  themselves 
under  fallen  leaves  or  in  scattered  grasses  and  weeds,  which  is  quite  remarkable. 
Both  species,  when  not  breeding,  are  found  generally  in  small  flocks  of  one  or  two 
families.  The  Grouse  does  not  appear  to  be  migratory,  but  the  Quail  is  of  a  migra- 
tory disposition.  The  flesh  of  these  birds  is  held  in  high  esteem  by  epicures.  Large 
numbers  of  both  species,  particularly  Grouse,  are  killed  annually  and  shipped  to 
the  markets.  They  subsist  chiefly  on  a  vegetable  diet,  viz.,  the  seeds  of  various 
weeds  and  grasses,  cereals,  berries,  wild  grapes,  and  other  small  fruits;  the  buds 
and  blossoms  of  trees  and  shrubs,  the  tender  shoots  of  different  small  plants,  etc., 
and  in  summer  they  also  devour  numerous  kinds  of  insects.  Pheasants  spend  most 
of  their  time  on  the  ground,  but  they  often  alight  in  trees  and  bushes  to  feed,  roost, 
or  to  escape  from  enemies.  Often  when  pursued  by  gunners  Grouse  secrete  them, 
selves  in  the  tops  of  high  trees,  particularly  hemlocks,  where  they  frequently  remain 
so  motionless  as  to  escape  the  keen  eye  of  the  most  experienced  hunter.  Some- 
times when  these  wily  birds  fly  in  trees  they  alight  on  large  limbs,  sit  lengthwise, 
and  so  close  to  the  limb  as  to  render  it  difficult  to  detect  them.  At  other  times  they 
perch  close  to  the  body  of  a  stately  forest  monarch,  and  stand  unright— feathers  close 
to  the  body— and  with  neck  stretched  to  the  full  extent;  but  even  in  this  partly  un- 
covered attitude  they  are  often  overlooked,  being  frequently  mistaken  for  knots, 
bunches  of  lichens,  leaves  or  rough  bark.  One  is  often  surprised  to  see  how  very 
small  a  large  Grouse  will  appear  when  frightened  and  hiding  in  a  tree.  Old  hunt- 
ers, who  have  made  a  careful  study  of  both  Grouse  and  Quail,  in  their  natural  haunts, 
claim  that  these  birds,  during  the  breeding  season,  leave  no  "scent"  by  which  dogs, 
etc.,  can  trail  them,  as  they  do  at  other  times.  Although  the  Quail  is  a  resident 
(t.  e.,  found  in  the  same  locality  during  all  months  of  the  year),  it  is,  in  some  parts 
of  the  state  at  least,  more  or  less  migratory,  as  is  clearly  shown  by  the  fact  that  in 
the  fall  flocks,  sometimes  numbering  a  hundred  or  more  birds,  are  seen  traveling, 
usually,  southward.  Quails  are  terrestrial.  Coveys  huddle  close  together  at  night, 
and  roost  on  the  ground,  and  often,  like  the  Grouse,  when  pursued,  they  seek  shelter 

*  Birds  of  East  Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey. 


Plate  2  < 


Blue  Jay. 
1.  Male;  2  and  3,  Female. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  105 


in  trees.  According  to  my  observations,  they  do  not,  as  a  rule,  attempt  to  hide  as 
the  Grouse  does,  in  the  thick  foliage,  but  perch  on  a  limb— frequently  like  the 
Grouse,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  tree  from  which  they  entered— mostly  near  the 
body  of  the  tree,  and  squat  close  to  the  bark.  In  the  summer,  when  the  wife  is  en- 
gaged with  her  domestic  duties,  it  is  not  uncommon  to  see  Mr.  Quail  perched 
in  an  upright  position  on  a  fence,  uttering  his  shrill  and  pleasing  whistle  that 
has  given  rise  to  the  vernacular  and  appropriate  name,  Bob-white,  In  Grouse  there  is 
but  little  difference  in  the  sexes,  though  the  female,  usually  a  little  smaller,  has  the 
neck-tufts,  less  developed,  and  duller  in  color.  The  male  Quail  has  line  over  eye  and 
throat  patch  white  ;  the  female  has  these  parts  buff  or  yellowish,  but  otherwise  is 
similar  to  male. 


GENUS  COLINTJS  LESSON. 
Colinus  virginianus  (LiNN.). 

Bob-white;  Quail;  Partridge. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  12). 

Feathers  of  crown  lengthened  and  erectile,  but  not  forming  a  crest  as  in  the 
pheasant.  Forehead,  streak  over  eye  and  throat  patch  (white  in  male,  buff  in  fe- 
male) light  colored,  and  in  male  particularly,  bordered  with  black  ;  neck  all  round 
reddish-brown  varied  with  black  and  white,  the  latter  especially  showy  on  back  of 
neck  ;  rest  of  upper  parts  reddish-brown  varied  with  black,  white,  gray  and  pale 
buff;  tail  mostly  bluish-gray;  under  parts  whitish,  with  reddish-brown  sides 
streaked  irregularly  with  black.  Length  about  10|  inches  ;  extent  about  15. 

Habitat.— Eastern  United  States  and  southern  Canada  from  southern  Maine  to  the 
south  Atlantic  and  gulf  States  ;  west  to  Dakota,  eastern  Kansas  and  eastern  Texas. 

This  species  is  found  in  Pennsylvania  at  all  seasons,  yet  I  am  fully 
convinced  that  many  of  those  that  breed  here  migrate^in  the  autumn 
southward.  During-  the  fall,  and  particularly  in  the  month  of  October, 
I  have  observed  flocks,  consisting-  of  several  families  and  numbering 
from  sixty  to  a  hundred  or  more  individuals  engaged  in  such  migrations. 
Partridges  at  all  seasons  other  than  when  breeding  are  seen  in  flocks. 
When  not  migrating-  we  find  them  in  flocks  of  twelve  to  fifteen  each, 
frequenting  fields  and  swamps  usually  near  the  borders  of  woods  or 
thickets,  to  which  they  speedily  repair  when  disturbed.  Early  in  April 
these  birds  pair  and  about  the  first  of  May  commence  nesting.  The 
nest  is  always  placed  on  the  ground,  generally  in  a  slig-ht  hollow,  and  is 
constructed  chiefly  of  small  twigs  and  grasses.  The  nest  is  usually  placed 
in  a  grass  field,  concealed  by  a  hig-h  tuft  of  grass  or  protected  by  a  thick 
overhanging  bush.  The  eggs  are  white,  pear-shaped,  and  althoug-h 
variable,  generally  number  about  fifteen.  The  birds  are  mainly  terres- 
trial in  habits.  In  the  autumn  and  winter,  when  continually  pursued 
by  sportsmen  and  dogs,  they  oftentimes,  when  flushed,  seek  refug-e  in 
trees ;  they  usually  alight  on  a  large  limb  close  to  the  main  trunk  and 
crouch  so  close  that  not  unfrequently  they  escape  the  notice  of  the 
eager  hunter.  A  gentleman  of  my  acquaintance  some  years  ag-o  while 
out  hunting  pheasants  noticed  a  slight  movement  among  some  dead 


106 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


leaves  in  the  top  of  an  oak  tree,  he  raised  his  gun  quickly  and  fired  into 
the  leaves  when  to  his  astonishment  down  came  fourteen  partridges 
dead  and  wounded.  Partridges  breed  readily  in  confinement,  and  oc- 
casionally, though  rarely,  become  quite  tame. 

Although  Quail  are  more  or  less  common  in  nearly  all  counties  of  the 
commonwealth  I  have  found  them  more  abundant,  in  the  hunting  season, 
at  different  points  along  the  Cumberland  Valley  railroad,  the  Northern 
Central  railroad,  and  the  Harrisburg  and  Gettysburg  railroad  (in  Frank- 
lin, Cumberland,  Adams  and  York  counties)  than  elsewhere  in  the  state. 
Good  Quail  shooting  is  also  to  be  had,  it  is  said,  in  certain  sections  of 
Mercer,  Crawford,  Lawrence,  and  some  few  other  of  the  western  and 
southwestern  counties.  In  many  sections  of  Chester,  Delaware  and 
Lancaster  counties  these  birds  are  much  less  numerous  than  they  were 
five  or  six  years  ago. 

The  food  of  this  species  *  consists  principally  of  cereals,  various  small 
seeds,  berries,  and  in  the  breeding  season  insects,  chiefly  beetles,  are 
taken  in  limited  numbers.  B.  M.  Everhart,  the  well-known  naturalist 
and  botanist,  informs  me  that  four  or  five  years  ago  he  examined  the 
stomach-contents  of  twenty  odd  Partridges  which  his  brother  had  shot 
when  on  a  gunning  excursion  in  the  Delaware,  and  found  that  all  the 
birds  had  fed  exclusively  on  the  seeds  of  skunk-cabbage  (Symplocarpus 
fceditus). 

The  food  of  sixteen  quails,  with  date  of  collection  and  locality  in 
which  they  were  captured,  examined  by  myself,  are  given  in  the  follow- 
ing table : 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY, 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1 
2 

July  21.  1879,  . 
July  21    1879 

Chester  county,  Pa  
Chester  county.  Pa. 

Small  seeds. 
Wheat  and  berries. 

3 
4 

Aug.—,  1880  
Aug.  3.  1880  

Chester  county,  Pa.  ,  
Chester  county,  Pa  

Small  seeds  and  remains  of  beetles. 
Beetles. 

5 

6 

Oct.  20,  1880  
Oct  20  1880, 

Chester  county,  Pa  
Chester  county,  Pa.  . 

Corn  and  small  seeds. 
Corn  and  wheat. 

1 
8 
g 

Oct.  20.  1880  
Oct.  20,  1880,  .  .  . 
Nov.  20,  1880,  .  .  . 

Chester  county,  Pa  
Chester  county,  Pa  
York  county,  Pa  

Corn  and  seeds. 
Wheat. 
Rag-weed  seeds  and  corn. 

10 
11 

Nov.  20,  1880,  .  .  . 
Nov.  30,  1880,  .  .  . 

York  county,  Pa  
Newark,  Del  

Corn. 
Small  seeds. 

12 

Dec  —  ig82 

Newark,  Del  

Corn. 

13 
14 
15 

Dec.—,  1882,  .  .  . 
Dec.—,  1882,  .  .  . 
May  20,  1884,  . 

Newark,  Del  
Newark,  Del  
Chester  county,  Pa  

Green  vegetable  material. 
Green  vegetable  material  and  small  seeds. 
Small  seeds. 

16 

,May20,  1884  

Chester  county,  Pa  

Small  seeds  and  insects. 

*  The  Florida  Bob-white  (C.  V.  floridanus,  Coues)  subsists  to  a  great  extent  on  different  kinds  of  in- 
sects. In  the  months  of  February.  March,  April  and  the  first  week  in  May.  1885,  when  in  Florida.  1  ex- 
amined over  one  hundred  of  these  quail  and  found  that  the  greater  part  of  their  food  consisted  of  different 
forms  of  insect-life,  particularly  beetles,  small  flies  and  "  worms. "  with  frequently  small  seeds  and 
other  kinds  of  green  vegetable  substances.  In  the  gizzards  of  nine  of  these  birds,  taken  late  in  April, 
were  found  (one  or  two  in  each  bird)  with  other  food,  small  batrachians,  the  proper  name  of  which  is 
unknown  to  me,  but  which  the  natives  called  •  •  sand  frogs  '•  or  "  rain  toads. " 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  107 


SUBFAMILY  TETRAONIN.S3.  GROUSE. 

GENUS   BON  AS  A  STEPHENS. 
Bonasa  umbellus  (LiNN.). 

Rutfed  Grouse ;  Pheasant ;  Partridge. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  65}. 

Head  with  lengthened  crest ;  above  variously  marked  with  different  shades  of 
black,  brown,  gray  and  whitish  ;  lower  parts  much  lighter,  white  or  buff,  with 
many  broad  bars  of  black  or  brown  ;  long  neck-ruffle  of  male  glossy  black  with 
violet  reflections  ;  female  with  neck  ruffle  smaller  and  generally  more  brown.  Tail 
of  eighteen  long  feathers  is  gray  or  reddish-brown,  with  numerous  transverse  and 
irregular  bars.  Length  about  18  inches  ;  extent  about  24  ;  tail  7. 

Habitat. — Eastern  United  States,  south  to  North  Carolina,  Georgia,  Mississippi 
and  Arkansas. 

The  Buffed  Grouse  is  known  generally  throughout  Pennsylvania  as 
the  Pheasant,  but  in  some  parts  of  the  northeastern  counties  it  is  usually 
called  "Partridge,"  a  name  by  which  the  quail  is  commonly  designated 
in  most  parts  of  this  state.  The  grouse  is  an  abundant  resident  in  the 
mountains,  wooded  and  thinly  populated  districts  of  Pennsylvania.  In 
the  northern  tier  of  counties  and  also  in  the  counties  of  Lackawanna, 
Wyoming,  Sullivan,  Huntingdon,  Lycoming,  Schuylkill,  Clinton,  Cen- 
tre, Elk,  Clearneld,  Cameron,  Westmoreland,  Bedford,  Perry,  Forest 
and  some  few  more,  .large  numbers  of  these  well-known  game  birds  are 
killed  every  year.  The  Lehigh  Valley  railroad  will  take  you  to  good 
shooting  grounds  in  Carbon,  Luzerne,  Wyoming  and  Bradford  counties, 
and  excellent  sport  can  be  had  shooting  grouse  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Scranton  and  in  the  vicinity  of  Montrose,  Susquehanna  connty,  both  of 
which  places  are  reached  by  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  and  Western 
railroad.  The  Hudson  Canal  Company's  roads  traverse  sections  of 
Lackawanna,  Wayne  and  Pike  counties,  where  grouse  are  reported  to 
be  particularly  numerous.  The  Beech  Creek  railroad  and  the  Northern 
Central  railroad  (Elmira  and  Canandaigua  division),  as  well  as  the  Phil- 
adelphia and  Erie  railroad,  go  through  some  of  the  best  Pheasant 
grounds  I  have  ever  visited. 

Dr.  Coues  says:  /'The  'drumming' sound  for  which  this  bird  is 
noted,  is  not  vocal,  as  many  suppose,  but  is  produced  by  rapidly  beat- 
ing the  wings."  During  the  breeding  season  and  at  other  times,  if  not 
continually  harassed  by  sportsmen,  the  grouse  is  tame  and  unsuspicious. 
The  nest  is  made  on  the  ground,  and  consists  principally  of  leaves  ;  it  is 
always  placed  in  the  interior  of  woods,  and  is  usually  concealed  by  a  log 
or  thick  bushes.  The  eggs  are  a  yellowish- white  color  and  number 
about  fifteen.  I  once  found  a  nest  with  nine  eggs,  in  which  incubation 
was  well  advanced.  E.  A.  Samuels,  in  his  entertaining  work,  "  Our 


108  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA 


Northern  and  Eastern  Birds"  says :  "  From  several  instances  which 
have  come  to  my  knowledge,  I  am  inclined  to  think  that  the  female 
Buffed  Grouse,  if  persistently  molested  when  nesting  on  the  ground, 
avails  herself  of  the  abandoned  nest  of  a  crow,  or  the  shelter  afforded  in 
the  top  of  some  tall  broken  trunk  of  a  tree,  in  which  she  deposits  her 
eggs.  Two  of  my  collectors  in  northern  Maine  have  sent  me  eggs 
which  they  positively  declared  were  found  in  a  crow's  nest  in  a  high 
pine,  but  which  are  undoubtedly  of  this  species ;  and  recently  I  have 
heard  of  another  occurrence  from  my  friend  L.  E.  Kicksecker,  of  Penn- 
sylvania. The  only  satisfactory  theory  that  I  can  advance  to  account 
for  these  departures  from  the  usual  habits  of  the  grouse,  is  that  the 
birds  had  been  much  disturbed,  their  eggs  or  young  perhaps  destroyed ; 
and  as  they  are  often  in  the  trees,  and  are  expert  climbers,  they  laid 
their  eggs  in  these  lofty  situations  to  secure  protection  from  their 
numerous  foes  below." 

Pheasants  are  woodland  birds,  but  I  have  observed,  when  hunting 
them  in  the  fall,  that  they  often  leave  the  woods  and  are  found  feeding 
about  the  edges  of  fields,  along  the  borders  of  woods  or  thickets.  When 
in  such  places  two  gunners  can,  if  they  are  fair  marksmen,  generally 
have  good  success,  if  one  goes  along  the  edge  of  the  woods  and  his  com- 
panion takes  the  open  territory.  Hon.  Nathan  C.  Evans,  of  Bedford 
county,  informs  me  he  has  examined  the  crops  of  hundreds  of  these 
birds  killed  in  the  fall  and  ascertained  that  they  subsist  to  a  considerable 
extent  on  the  leaves  arid  blossoms  of  red  clover.  Forty-two  Pheasants, 
taken  in  the  months  of  October,  November  and  December,  in  Schuylkill, 
Dauphin,  Warren,  Chester,  Erie  and  Lancaster  counties,  which  I  have 
examined,  were  found /to  have  fed  mainly  on  Partridge  berries,  chest- 
nuts, small  seeds  and  other  vegetable  matter ;  ten  of  this  lot — shot  when 
the  snow  was  deep — were  all  gorged  with  buds  of  laurel.  The  stomach 
contents  of  twenty -two  Pheasants,  captured  in  Wayne,  Susquehanna  and 
Wyoming  counties  December,  1889,  and  identified  by  my  kind  friend, 
Benjamin  M.  Everhart,  of  West  Chester,  consisted  principally  of  the 
Fern  (Aspidium  spinulosum,  Swartz,  var.,  intermedium.,  Willd.),  and 
False  Mitre-wort  (Tiarella  cordifolia,  L.)  with  some  few  leaves  and  a 
little  fruit  of  the  Partridge  berry  (Mitchella  repens  L.).  Wilson  writing 
of  their  food  says :  "  They  are  exceedingly  fond  of  the  seeds  of  grapes  ; 
occasionally  eat  ants,  chestnuts,  blackberries  and  various  vegetables. 
It  has  been  confidently  asserted  that,  after  having  fed  for  some  time 
on  the  laurel  buds,  their  flesh  becomes  highly  dangerous  to  eat  of,  par- 
taking of  the  poisonous  qualities  of  the  plant,  f  *  *  *  Though 
I  have  myself  ate  freely  of  the  flesh  of  the  Pheasant,  after  emptying  it 
of  large  quantities  of  laurel  buds,  without  experiencing  any  bad  conse- 


*Prof.  John  H.  Brinton,  M.  D.,  of  the  Jefferson  Medical  College.  Philadelphia.  Pa.,  informed  me  that 
he  had  known  of  several  cases  of  Glossitis  (inflammation  of  the  tongue)  to  have  been  caused  by  eating 
Pheasants  which  had  fed  on  laurel.— Warren. 


Plate  26. 


Reed-bird— Bobolink. 
1.  Male;  2.  female. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


109 


quences,  yet,  from  the  respectability  of  those,  some  of  them  eminent 
physicians,  who  have  particularized  cases  in  which  it  has  proved  dele- 
terious, and  even  fatal,  I  am  inclined  to  believe  that,  in  certain  cases, 
where  this  kind  of  food  has  been  lonp-  continued,  and  the  birds  allowed 
to  remain  undrawn  for  several  days,  until  the  contents  of  the  crop  and 
stomach  have  had  time  to  diffuse  themselves  through  the  flesh,  as  is 
too  often  the  case,  it  may  be  unwholesome  and  even  dang-erous." 


FAMILY  PHASIANHX&.     TURKEYS,  ETC. 

SUBFAMILY  MELEAGKIN^E     TURKEYS. 

GENUS  MELEAGRIS  LINN.EUS. 


Meleagris  gallopavo  LINN. 


Wild  Turkey. 


DESCRIPTION  ( Plate  74). 


Length  3  to  4  feet ;  extent  4  to  5  feet.  Weight  varies  greatly  ;  males  are  said  to 
weigh  from  16  to  35  pounds,  and  females  from  8  to  14  pounds.  Bare  skin  of  head  and 
neck  blue  ;  excrescences  purplish-red  ;  legs  red  ;  general  color  copper -bronze,  with 
bright  metallic  reflections,  each  feather  with  a  narrow  blackish  border  ;  the  brownish 
quills  are  barred  with  white  ;  tail-feathers  brown-barred  with  blackish  ;  upper  tail- 
coverts  chestnut.  Female  smaller  and  much  duller  in  color.  The  male  has  a  long 
tuft  of  coarse  blackish  bristles  on  middle  of  breast,  and  stout  blunt  spurs. 

Habitat. — United  States,  from  southern  Canada  to  the  Gulf  coast,  and  west  to  the 
plains,  along  the  timbered  river  valleys;  formerly  along  the  Atlantic  coast  to  south- 
ern Maine. 

This  noble  g-ame  bird,  although  rapidly  being-  extirpated,  is  still  found 
in  small  numbers  in  many  wooded  and  thinly  populated  districts  of  the 
state.  I  have  seen  a  few  Wild  Turkeys  within  the  past  five  years  in 
Juniata,  Schuylkill,  Snyder,  Miniin  and  Blair  counties.  The  following 
list  will  show  reports  received  from  various  g-entlemen  concerning  this 
species  in  other  counties : 


COUNTY. 

OBSERVERS. 

REMARKS. 

Bedford  

L.  J  .  McGregor  

Resident  :   most  frequently  seen  in  southern  part  of 

county. 

Bradford  

J.  L.  Camp  

Resident:  rare. 

Beaver  

Dr.  G.  A.  Scroggs,  .   . 

One  killed  here  in  1880. 

Berks  

D.  F.  Keller.  .... 

Resident;  breeds  sparingly  in  Blue  mountains. 

Center  

W.  P.  Fisher.     .   . 

Resident. 

Cumberland  

T.  L.  Neff  

Resident. 

Do.                   .... 

Prof.  S'  B.  Heigis.      . 

Rather  plentiful   in   North   mountains;    flocks  7  to  9. 

They  are  quite  numerous  In  Perry  county. 

Columbia  

Dr    A.  B.  MacCrea.     . 

Breeds. 

Dauphin  

W.  W.  Stoey  

Resident. 

Elk  

Capt.  A.  A.  Clay.    .  . 

Very  rare. 

Franklin  

H.  B.  Craig  

Few  still  found  on  North  mountain  and  •  '  Pine  Hills.  " 

Lycomlng  

August  Kock    

Resident. 

Do.                

Charles  H.  Eldon.    .   .   . 

Resident. 

Lebanon  

J.  G.  Bohn  

Resident. 

Do.            

Geo.  R.  Ross.     .   .  !  .   . 

Resident. 

Luzerne  

Geo.  P.  Friant  

A  few  have  been  killed  In  this  valley  In  recent  years  on 

the  range  near  Pittston. 

110 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


COUNTT. 

OBSERVERS. 

REMRAKS. 

Luzerne    
Do. 

Dr.  W.  L.  Hartman,  .  . 
James  F.  Green,  .  . 

Breeds. 
Resident. 

Do  
Lehigh, 

David  J.  Linskill.  .  .  . 
J.  F.  Kocher.  . 

Resident. 
Resident. 

Monroe,    

Edmund  Ricksecker.  .  . 

A  few  still  in  the  county. 

Northampton,      .  .   . 
Northumberland.    .   . 
Perry, 

Dr.  John  W.  Detwiller, 
Dr.  Walter  Van  Fleet,  . 
H.  Justin  Roddy, 

Resident. 
Few  are  occasionally  seen. 
Resident;  becoming  scarcer  every  year. 

Somerset,    
Susquehanna,  .       .   . 
Do.                   ... 
Venango  
Warren  
Westmoreland,        .   . 
York  
Do  

Dr.  H.  D.  Moore,  .  .  . 
S.  S.  Thomas  
George  B.  Perry.  .  .  . 
J.  R.  Robertson,  .... 
H.  L.  Greenland,  .  .  . 
Chas.  H.  Townsend,  .  . 
Hon.  Gerard  C.  Brown.  . 
Col.  J.  A  Stable,  .  .  . 

Resident;  rare. 
Common  fifty  years  ago. 
Occasional  visitor. 
About  exterminated  . 
Straggler. 
Resident;  few  killed  in  mountains  every  year. 
Breeds. 
Few  found  in  South  mountain. 

The  Wild  Turkey  although  more  brilliant  in  color  has  a  very  close  re- 
semblance to  the  domestic  turkey,  and  some  old  residents  affirm  that 
the  genuine  "Wild  Turkey  is  now  very  rarely  seen  in  this  state.  They 
believe  the  so-called  Wild  Turkeys  found  in  the  wooded  and  mountain- 
ous regions  to  be  domestic  birds  which  have  wandered  off  and  become 
equally  as  wild  and  cunning  as  the  typical  Mealeagris  gallopavo,  which 
in  former  years  was  abundant  in  Pennsylvania.  This  bird  nests  on  the 
ground  ;  eggs  a  little  smaller,  but  otherwise  very  similar  to  those  of  our 
domestic  turkeys.  The  food  consists  chiefly  of  cereals,  berries,  acorns, 
chestnuts,  and  other  vegetable  materials. 


ORDER  COLUMBJ!.    PIGEONS. 

FAMILY  COLUMBID^.     PIGEONS. 

The  Wild  Pigeon  and  the  Mourning  Dove  are  the  only  species  of  this  family  found 
in  Pennsylvania.  These  birds  never  lay  more  than  two  eggs,  which  are  pure  white 
and  unspotted.  The  Pigeon  nests  in  trees,  and  the  Dove  is  generally  found  nesting 
in  trees  or  bushes,  but  sometimes  the  latter  bird  nests  on  the  ground.  In  former 
years  Wild  Pigeons  were  abundant  in  this  state,  where  they  bred  annually  in  im- 
mense numbers,  but  for  the  past  six  or  eight  years,  but  few  of  these  birds  have  been 
found  here,  and  when  now  found  breeding  in  this  commonwealth  they  are  observed 
in  single  pairs,  or  in  small  flocks.  The  Dove  is  common  and  generally  distributed 
throughout  the  state.  When  not  breeding  Doves  are  found  in  flocks  ;  and  in  many 
of  the  southern  counties  they  remain  during  all  months  of  the  year.  "The  gizzard 
is  large  and  muscular,  particularly  in  the  species  that  feed  on  seeds  and  other  hard 
fruits  ;  the  gullet  dilates  to  form  a  circumscribed  crop  divided  into  lateral  halves,  or 
tending  to  that  state.  This  organ  at  times  secretes  a  peculiar  milky  fluid,  which, 
mixed  with  macerated  food,  is  poured  by  regurgitation  directly  into  the  mouth  of  the 
young  ;  thus  the  fabled  '  pigeon's  milk '  has  a  strong  spice  of  fact,  and  in  this  remark- 
able circumstance  we  see  probably  the  nearest  approach,  among  birds,  to  the  char- 
acteristic function  of  mammalia."— Coues. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  Ill 

GENUS  BCTOPISTES  SWAINSON. 
Ectopistes  migratorius  (  LINN.  ) . 

Passenger  Pigeon ;  Wild  Pigeon. 

DESCRIPTION  {Plate  71). 

Length  (depends  on  development  of  tail)  about  14  inches ;  extent,  about  25 ;  tail 
has  12  feathers ;  bill  black  ;  legs  purplish  red  ;  iris  red  ;  upper  parts  including  chin, 
throat  and  all  of  head  blue  ;  lower  parts  brownish-red,  fading  on  belly  and  white  on 
crissum  and  under  part  of  tail ;  sides  and  back  of  neck  glossed  with  rich  reddish- 
purple.  The  female  and  young  much  duller  in  color,  and  female  is  much  smaller 
than  male. 

Habitat. — Eastern  North  America,  from  Hudson's  Bay  southward,  and  west  to  the 
great  plains,  straggling  westward  to  Nevada  and  Washington  Territory. 

Wild  Pig-eons  about  eight  or  ten  years  ago  were  found  in  great  num- 
bers in  Elk,  Forest,  Warren,  McKean,  Potter  and  Cameron  counties.  In 
the  region  about  Emporium,  Cameron  county,  and  near  Kane,  McKean 
county,  immense  quantities  of  these  birds  were  killed,  packed  in  barrels, 
and  snipped  in  car  loads,  to  the  New  York  market.  Mr.  M.  M.  Larrabee, 
of  Emporium,  who  frequently  visited  their  nesting  places  or  roosts  in 
the  localities  above  mentioned,  says  that  they  often  covered  an  area  of 
several  miles  in  the  depths  of  the  forests. 

The  Wild  Pigeon  is  now  found  in  most  parts  of  the  state  as  a  migrant, 
but  a  few  of  these  birds  breed  more  or  less  regularly  in  different  parts 
of  the  commonwealth.  During  the  last  five  or  six  years  when  seen  here, 
usually  only  single  pairs,  or  very  small  flocks,  have  been  observed  nest- 
ing, and  we  never  see  large  flights  of  pigeons  anywhere  in  the  state  as 
in  former  years.  In  the  fall  of  1884, 1  saw  about  three  hundred  pigeons, 
which  was  the  largest  flock  I  have  ever  observed  in  the  state.  A  hunter, 
residing  in  Potter  county,  told  me  he  found,  in  1888,  in  the  northern 
part  of  Cameron  county,  a  flock  of  about  one  hundred,  which  he  thought 
were  breeding  in  that  locality.  Reports  which  I  have  received  through 
the  kindness  of  the  following  named  gentlemen  will  suffice  to  show  the 
present  status  of  the  Passenger  Pigeon  in  Pennsylvania :  About  1870 
were  very  abundant ;  now  very  rare  ;  have  only  seen  one  in  ten  years — 
James  S.  Nease,  Washington  county  :  Occasional  visitor,  March  or  April, 
1883,  a  flock  of  fifteen  or  twenty — George  B.  Perry,  S  usquehanna  county : 
Hare ;  a  few  breed  here — H.  L.  Greenland,  Warren  county :  The  pigeon 
has  nested  within  the  last  ten  years  three  times  on  Potato  creek,  near 
Smethport,  McKean  county,  but  do  not  think  they  have  been  there  for 
three  or  four  years  past — James  A.  Teuton  (letter  July,  1889),  McKean 
county :  Rare  migrant — J.  L.  Camp,  Bradford  county :  Straggler — R. 
C.  Wrenshall,  Allegheny  county :  Breeds  very  sparingly  in  a  few  locali- 
ties in  Crawford  and  Erie  counties — George  B.  Sennett,  Erie  county  :  A 
rare  visitor — N.  F.  Underwood,  Wayne  county  :  Occasional  migrant — Dr. 


112  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

H  D.  Moore,  Somerset  county :  Small  flocks  and  scattered  birds  are  now 
seen — M.  M.  Larrabee,  Cameron  county :  In  former  years  Wild  Pigeons 
in  large  flocks  were  found  roosting-  and  breeding  in  the  beech  woods 
along  Bowman's  creek,  in  Wyoming  county,  and  in  Lake  and  Boss  town- 
ships of  this  county,  but  in  the  last  six  years  have  seen  only  small  flocks, 
and  of  tener  only  single  pairs  in  Wyoming  county.  Last  year  (summer, 
1889,)  I  saw  a  number  of  single  pairs  and  their  nests  in  Lake,  Boss  and 
Fairmount  townships  in  this  county — David  J.  Linskill,  Luzerne  county  : 
No  Wild  Pigeons  through  this  section  since  1875,  at  which  time  they 
were  very  plenty,  feeding  principally  in  the  mountains.  A  few  stray 
birds  have  been  shot  this  fall  (1889)  along  the  South  mountain,  which 
causes  me  to  think  that  they  may  occasionally  breed  in  this  locality,  but 
not  in  such  numbers  as  to  attract  attention — T.  L.  Neff,  Cumberland 
county  :  In  the  year  1856  this  neighborhood  was  visited  by  Wild  Pigeons 
in  vast  numbers.  In  the  early  morning  they  would  fly  eastward  from 
the  Laurel  Hill  mountains,  nine  miles  east  of  Masontown,  alighting  in 
cornfields  to  feed ;  and  about  the  middle  of  the  afternoon  they  would 
commence  their  return  flight  to  their  roosting  place  in  the  mountains. 
They  would  come  sometimes  in  such  immense  flocks  as  to  almost  shut 
out  the  sky,  like  a  cloud,  and  two  or  three  hours  would  pass  during  each 
morning  and  evening  migration.  This  occurred  in  the  early  part  of 
April.  Since  then  there  has  been  two  similar  visits,  but  not  in  such  im- 
mense numbers,  and  I  cannot  now  name  the  years.  It  has  been  perhaps 
twenty  years  since  they  were  seen  here  in  this  manner.  Formerly,  in 
the  fall,  they  would  be  found  feeding  upon  acorns,  but  they  have  become 
very  rare  of  late  years—  G.  W.  Linton  (letter  July,  1889},  Fayette  county. 
Mr.  J.  G.  Bohn,  of  Lebanon,  says  (letter  August,  1889) :  "  In  regard  to 
Wild  Pigeons,  they  are  birds  of  the  past  in  our  regions.  Years  ago  our 
woods  were  full  of  them ;  in  the  fall  you  could  count  them  by  the  thou- 
sands, and  here  and  there  you  could  find  them  raising  young.  Our  sec- 
tion of  country  is  stripped  of  its  massive  forests  and  these  birds  are 
gone.  I  have  not  seen  one  in  my  hunts  in  fifteen  years.  I  even  can- 
not as  much  as  get  a  specimen  to  mount.  Mr.  Otto  Behr,  of  Lopez, 
Sullivan  county,  in  a  letter  dated  February  28,  1889,  says :  "  The  last 
'  pigeon  roost '  here  was  in  1869.  *  *  *  They  say  the  nesting  ground 
which  was  along  the  Mehoopany  creek,  Wyoming  county,  four  miles 
from  here,  was  seven  miles  long  by  two  or  three  miles  wide.  In  1876  they 
started  to  build  up  here  again  when  a  snow  storm  that  covered  the  ground 
for  several  inches  drove  them  off.  Since  then  they  have  had  no  regular 
nesting  place  here."  Mr.  Chandlee  Eves,  Millville,  Columbia  county, 
in  a  letter  of  September  24,  1889,  gives  the  following  interesting  infor- 
mation of  the  method  employed  to  capture  pigeons :  "  About  thirty -five 
years  ago  I  used  to  see  a  great  many  Wild  Pigeons  in  the  spring,  many 
were  caught  with  spring-nets.  The  party  catching  them  would  have  a 
'bow-house,'  or  bough-house,  to  secrete  themselves  in  ;  they  would  have 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  113 

a  Wild  Pig-eon — called  the  flyer — with  its  eyes  sewed  shut,  which  they 
threw  out,  and  another  which  they  made  hover  by  means  of  a  string 
from  the  bough-house.  In  this  way  large  quantities  of  pigeons  were 
decoyed,  and  as  they  were  about  to  alight  the  net  was  sprung-  over 
them.  Pigeon  catching  was  quite  a  business  with  some.  The  flyer  and 
stool  pigeons  were  kept  during  the  year  in  cages  so  as  to  have  a  stool 
pigeon  to  commence  with  in  the  spring.  No  pigeons  have  been  here  for 
the  last  fifteen  years."  The  nest,  generally  placed  in  a  tree,  sometimes 
in  bushes,  is  a  flat  and  frail  platform  of  sticks,  so  carelessly  placed  that 
the  eggs,  one  or  two  in  number,  can  be  seen  from  below.  The  eggs 
measure  about  one  and  one-half  inches  long-  and  a  little  over  one  inch 
broad. 


"GENUS  ZENAIDURA  BONAPARTE. 
Zenaidura  macroura  (LiNN.). 

Mourning  Dove ;  Turtle  Dove. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  71). 

Tail  of  fourteen  feathers ;  length  about  13  inches ;  extent  about  18 ;  bill  slender  and 
mostly  black  ;  feet  purplish -red;  eyes  brown  ;  upper  parts  olive-brown  and  bluish- 
gray  ;  lower  parts  faint  purplish  or  brownish-red,  becoming  much  lighter  behind  ; 
neck  glossed  with  metallic  purple  and  gold.  Female  and  young  somewhat  similar 
but  duller. 

Habitat.—  North  America,  from  southern  Maine,  southern  Canada  and  Oregon 
south  to  Panama  and  the  West  Indies. 

The  only  species  with  which  the  Mourning  Dove,  so  called  from  its 
note,  can  possibly  be  confounded  is  the  Wild  Pigeon,  from  which  it  can 
readily  be  distinguished  if  the  following  facts  are  remembered :  The 
dove  measures  about  thirteen  inches  in  length  and  eighteen  inches  in 
alar  extent ;  the  pigeon  about  seventeen  by  twenty -five  inches.  So,  first 
we  find  a  marked  difference  in  size.  Secondly,  the  dove  has  fourteen 
tail  feathers ;  the  pig-eon  has  but  twelve  ;  again,  the  eyes  of  the  dove  are 
brown,  while  those  of  the  pigeon  are  red.  '  This  bird  is  found  in  several 
of  the  southern  counties  of  Pennsylvania  during  all  seasons  of  the  year, 
and  at  times  other  than  when  breeding  is  gregarious.  During  the  sum- 
mer time  it  is  found  generally  throughout  the  state.  In  March,  the 
flocks  which  have  been  observed  during  the  winter  about  the  fields  and 
orchards,  separate  and  begin  their  love-making.  The  nest,  a  carelessly 
constructed  affair,  is  made  up  entirely  of  small  sticks,  and  is  generally 
found  placed  on  a  large  limb  of  a  tree  in  an  apple  orchard.  On  the 
barren  ridge,  in  eastern  Pennsylvania,  I  have  on  several  occasions  found 
these  birds  nesting  in  pine  trees ;  the  eggs  are  two  in  number,  white 
and  unspotted.  Sometimes  these  birds  will  occupy  nests  which  have 
been  deserted  by  other  species.  I  once,  some  few  years  ago,  found  a 

8BIKDS. 


114 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


pair  breeding  in  the  nest  of  a  Green  Heron,  which  had  been  deserted  by 
the  original  possessors.  On  another  occasion,  a  nest  was  found  built  in 
that  of  a  Crow  Blackbird. 

Doves  also  nest  sometimes  on  the  ground.  Mr.  Frank  R.  Diffenderffer, 
associate  editor  of  NeivEra,  of  Lancaster  city,  and  Prof.  H.  Justin  Eoddy, 
also  of  Lancaster  county,  both  inform  me  they  have  repeatedly  found 
them  breeding1  on  the  ground.  Doves  seldom  feed  on  insects  but  sub- 
sist almost  exclusively  on  cereals,  small  seeds  of  different  plants,  and, 
occasionally,  it  is  said,  on  various  wild  berries.  The  food  materials  of 
eleven  doves  which  I  have  examined  are  as  follows : 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1 
2 

Sept.    11,  1880.     . 
Oct.      15,  1880,     . 

.   .   . 

East  Bradford,  Pa.  ,  .  . 
Bast  Bradford.  Pa..  .  . 

Grass  seeds. 
Small  seeds. 

3 

Feb.     16.  1880,     . 

Pocopson.  Pa..    .... 

Seeds  and  other  vegetable  matter. 

4 

March    6.  1880. 

Chester  county,  Pa.  , 

Seeds  of  Amaranthacece 

5 

g 

March  20.  1882.     . 
April      5.  1882, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,    . 
Chester  county.  Pa  , 

Wheat  and  small  black  seeds. 
Corn  and  small  seeds 

7 
8 
9 

May       7.  1883,     . 
Mav      25.  1883,     . 
June    31.  1883.     . 

WestGoshen,  Pa.,    .  . 
WestGoshen,  Pa..    .  . 
West  Goshen,  Pa.  ,    .   . 

Wheat  and  corn. 
Smal!  seeds. 
Wheat. 

10 

Nov.     29,  1886, 

North  Brook,  Pa  , 

11 

Nov.     29.  1886.     . 

North  Brook.  Pa.    ... 

Apple  seeds  and  seeds  of  grasses. 

ORDER  RAPTORES.    BIRDS  OF  PREY. 


SUBORDER  SARCORHAMPHI.     YULTURES. 


FAMILY  CATHARTID-ffi.     AMERICAN  VULTUKES. 

i 

THE  VULTURES. 

These  cowardly,  ignoble,  gluttonous  and  partly  gregarious  birds  are  found  in 
abundance  in  the  warmer  countries,  where,  frequently,  they  are  protected  by  law, 
because  of  their  value  as  scavengers.  Vultures  subsist  largely  on  carrion.  They 
often  collect  in  considerable  numbers  around  the  body  of  a  defunct  horse,  cow,  steer 
or  other  large  sized  animal,  and  gorge  themselves  until  they  are  scarcely  able  to  fly. 
When,  however,  their  uncleanily  repast  is  finished  they  usually  perch  on  trees, 
rocks,  fences,  etc.,  where  they  remain  in  a  quiet  and  sleepy  attitude,  with  the  wings 
drooping.  Frequently  if  these  birds  are  wounded,  or  suddenly  frightened  when 
feeding,  and  sometimes  when  their  nests  or  young  are  molested,  they  eject  the  foetid 
contents  of  the  crop.  Two  species  of  tlue  family  are  mentioned  as  occurring  in  Penn- 
sylvania ;  one,  the  Turkey  Buzzard  as  it  is  commonly  called,  is  rather  numerous  in 
some  parts  of  the  state,  where  it  also  often  is  resident.  The  other  species — Black 
Vulture — is  found  here  only  as  a  straggler  irom  the  south. 


Plate  27. 


Red- winged  Black- Bird. 

L  Male  Adult;  2.  Female;  3.  Young  Male. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  116 

GENUS  GATHARTES  ILLIGBR. 
Cathartes  aura  (LiNN.). 

Turkey  Vulture ;  Turkey  Buzzard. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  67). 

Entire  plumage  brownish-black,  and  more  or  less  glossy ;  quills  paler  on  under 
surface  ;  skin  of  head  and  neck  naked  wrinkled,  with  scattering  bristle-like  feath- 
ers ;  head  and  neck  red  ;  bill  whitish  ;  legs  and  feet  pinkish;  iris  grayish-brown  ; 
nostrils  large  and  oval. 

Nestlings.—  Bare  skin  of  head  nearly  white  ;  body  covered  with  white  down. 
Length  about  30  inches  ;  extent  of  wings  about  72  inches ;  wing  about  25 ;  tail  12 
inches. 

Habitat.—  Temperate  North  America,  from  New  Jersey,  Ohio  Valley,  Saskatche- 
wan region  and  Washington  Territory,  southward  to  Patigonia,  casually  northward 
on  the  Atlantic  coast  to  Maine. 

This  species  is  found  in  some  sections  of  Pennsylvania  during  all 
seasons,  but  during-  the  summer  months  is  much  more  plentiful  than  at 
other  times.  The  Turkey  Buzzard  usually  rears  its  young  in  woods  or 
thickets,  mostly  near  streams  of  water.  It  makes  little  or  no  effort  to 
construct  a  nest ;  the  eggs — never  more  than  two  in  number,  and  occa- 
sionally only  one — are  deposited  generally  in  a  slight  concavity  in  the 
ground  protected  by  shelving  or  overhanging  rocks.  The  eggs  are  yel- 
lowish white,  spotted  with  different  shades  of  brown  and  purple,  and 
measure  about  2f  inches  in  length  by  nearly  2  inches  in  breadth.  It  is 
stated  that  this  species  sometimes  breeds  in  Pennsylvania  as  early  as 
the  last  week  in  March.  I  have  found  nine  nests  in  Chester  and  Delaware 
counties  during  the  past  seven  years ;  of  this  number  seven  were  taken 
late  in  April  or  early  in  May,  and  all  contained  fresh  eggs.  The  two 
remaining  nests,  found  in  June,  contained  downy  young.  I  am  in- 
formed that  these  birds,  in  Lancaster  and  York  counties,  along  the  Sus- 
quehanna  river,  are  annually  to  be  found  breeding  in  small  communities 
of  a  dozen  or  twenty  individuals.  This  bird  will  resort  for  several  con- 
secutive seasons  to  a  favorite  nesting  place,  and  occasionally  when  its 
eggs  are  taken  will  lay  a  second  time  in  the  same  nest.  The  Turkey 
Vulture  is  very  numerous  in  the  southern  states,  where  it  resides  all 
the  year,  but  in  the  eastern  United  States,  north  of  Pennsylvania,  it  is 
said  to  be  quite  rare.  Two  young  which  I  took  from  the  nest  and  kept 
in  captivity  until  full  grown  became  exceedingly  tame.  These  birds 
often  when  feeding,  and  invariably  if  approached  by  a  stranger,  would 
utter  a  loud  hiss,  the  only  sound  which  this  species,  as  well  as  other  of 
the  American  vultures,  is  known  to  make.  They  fed  chiefly  on  fresh 
meat,  and  also  devoured  with  apparent  relish  earth-worms,  crickets, 
grasshoppers  and  other  large  insects ;  oftentimes  they  also  eat  pieces 
of  bread,  cake  and  particles  of  apples  or  pears  which  were  thrown  be- 
fore them.  The  Turkey  Buzzard,  in  its  natural  state,  according  to  Au- 


116 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


dubon,  sucks  the  eggs  and  devours  the  young  of  herons  and  other 
birds.  I  have  never  known  them  to  disturb  either  the  eggs  or  young 
of  birds,  but  have  observed  that  they  subsist  almost  wholly  on  car- 
rion. The  benefits  which  these  scavengers  render  are  too  well  known 
to  need  any  comment. 

The  following  list,  with  names  of  observers,  will  give  a  very  clear  idea 
as  to  the  distribution  of  the  Turkey  Buzzard  in  Pennsylvania : 


COUNTY. 

OBSERVERS. 

REMARKS. 

Adams  
Bradford  
Berks  
Do  
Bucks  
Do  

B.  H.  Warren  
J.  L.  Camp  
Jonas  Stern  
D.  F.  Keller  
Mrs.  M.  H.  Rice  
S.  Edward  Paschall.*  .  .  . 

Resident;  common  in  summer. 
Never  saw  one  in  northern  Pennsylvania. 
Breeds;  rare. 
Breeds  In  Blue  mountains. 
Occasionally  in  flocks;  Aug..  Sept.  and  Oct. 
Decidedly  rare. 

Chester. 

B.  H.  Warren. 

Resident*  very  common  in  summer 

Clinton  
Cameron  
Delaware  
Dauphin, 

Dr.  W.  Van  Fleet  
B.  H.  Warren  
Robt.  Townsley,  
W.  W.  Stoev, 

Straggler. 
Straggler;  saw  one  November.  1889. 
Resident;  most  numerous  in  summer. 
Resident 

Erie  

Geo.  B.  Sennett  

Never  seen  here. 

Franklin. 

B.  H.  Warren 

Saw  several  in  December   1889;  breeds. 

Fayette  
Juniata, 

G.  W.  Linton  
B.  H.  Warren 

Breeds. 
Saw  three  in  January.  1890 

Lehigh  

J.  F.  Ko'cher  

Breeds. 

Do  
Lancaster.      .  .   . 
Do. 

Dr.  John  W.  Detwiller.     . 
Dr.  A.  C.  Treichler  
James  Galen,  

Seldom  seen 
Resident. 
Resident. 

Do.                ... 
Do.                ... 
Lebanon  
Do  
Lycoming  
Lawrence  

H.  Justin  Roddv  
W.  H.  Buller.  "  
J.  G.  Bonn  
Geo.  R.  Ross  
August  Kock,  
B.  H.  Warren  

Resident. 
Breeds. 
Breeds. 
Resident. 
Straggler;  got  two  in  spring. 
Saw  one  October.  1888. 

McKean  
Montgomery      .   .   . 
Do.                   ... 
Mercer  ,. 
Northampton,  .   .   . 
Do.                   ... 
Northumberland,    . 
Perry, 

James  A.  Teulon  
W.  P.  Bolton  
Thomas  S.  Gillin  
S.  S.  Overmoyer  
Dr.  John  W.  Detwiller.  .  . 
Edmund  Ricksecker.  .  .  . 
Dr.  W.  Van  Fleet  
H  Justin  Roddy 

Never  seen  here. 
Breeds. 
Migrant. 
Straggler;  shot  one  September  1.  1884. 
Seldom  seen. 
Straggler,  spring  and  summer;  does  not  breed. 
Straggler. 
Seen  in  May   1886'  breeds    (') 

Philadelphia.    . 

H.  Jamison. 

Do.                   ... 
Do. 

Joseph  Price  Ball  
Witmer  Stone 

Resident. 
Seen  mostly  during  migrations. 

Do.                   ... 
Schuylkill  
Somerset,    
Sullivan,     
Union,  

Geo.  Spencer  Morris.  .  .  . 
M.  M.  MacMillian  
Dr.  H.  D.  Moore  
Otto  Behr  
Dr.  W.  Van  Fleet  

Straggler. 
Straggler;  fall  1883. 
Breeds. 
Straggler;  seen  in  1884. 
Straggler. 

Warren  
Westmoreland,    .  . 
Washington.     .   .   . 

H.  L.  Greenlund  
Chas.  H.  Townsend  
James  S.  Nease 

Not  found  here. 
Very  rare,  have  seen  several  in  an  adjoining  county. 
Resident 

Do.                   ... 
Do.                   ... 

M.  Compton  
M.  T.  Warrick  

Occasional;  flock  of  ten  seen  September,  1883. 
Occasional;  flock  of  ten  seen  September,  1883. 

York,     

Hon.  G.  C.  Brown  

Breeds. 

Do  
Do 

George  Miller  

Breeds. 

NOTE.— The  Turkey  Buzzard  breeds  in  many  sections  of  Chester  and  Delaware 
counties.  Alfred  P.  Lee  has  observed  it  as  a  common  resident  in  the  vicinity  of  Ox- 
ford ;  Harry  Wilson  has  found  them  breeding  at  different  points  about  Doe  Run,  and 
also  near  Parkeslmrg.  Within  a  radius  of  about  six  miles  from  West  Chester,  I  have 
found  them  breeding — never  more  than  one  pair  in  a  place — in  seven  different  local- 
ities in  the  counties  of  Chester  and  Delaware. 


*••  Decidedly  rare,  and  absolutely  unknown  to  most  of  our  people.  We  are  but  a  few  miles  from  Chester 
county,  where  the  bird  is  very  common,  but.  Bucks  county,  is  out  of  its  range.  I  made  note  of  having 
seen  three  (3)  buzzards  during  the  season.  "-K.  H.  Paschall. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  117 


GENUS  CATHARISTA  VIEILLOT. 
Catharista  atrata  (BARTR.). 

Black  Vulture. 

DESCRIPTION. 

"Adult.— Entire  plumage  dull  black,  the  quills  grayish  basally  (hoary  whitish  on 
under  surface),  their  shafts  pure  white  ;  bill  dusky  with  yellowish  or  whitish  tip; 
naked  skin  of  head  and  foreneck  dusky.  Length  23-27  ;  extent  about  54  inches."— 
Ridgivay  Manual  N.  A.  Birds. 

Habitat. — South  Atlantic  and  gulf  states,  north  to  North  Carolina  and  the  Lower 
Ohio  valley,  west  to  the  great  plains,  and  south  through  Mexico  and  Central  America 
and  most  of  South  America,  Straggling  north  to  New  York  and  Maine. 

The  Black  Vulture  or  Carrion  Crow,  as  this  bird  is  sometimes  called, 
I  have  never  seen  in  Pennsylvania.  Stragglers  have  been  observed  in 
Northampton  county  by  Dr.  John  W.  Detwiller  and  Edmund  Kicksecker, 
and  one  was  taken  in  Perry  county  by  Prof.  H.  Justin  Roddy. 


SUBORDER  FA  LOOSES.  FALCONS,  HAWKS,  EAGLES,  ETC 

FAMILY   FALCONID.5S.     VULTURES,  FALCONS,  HAWKS,  EAGLES,  ETC. 

SUBFAMILY  ACCLPITRIN^.     KITES,  BUZZARDS.  HAWKS,  EAGLES,  ETC. 

THE  EAGLES,  HAWKS,  ETC. 

About  a  dozen  species  included  in  this  subfamily  are  found  regularly  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  of  all  the  numerous  species  of  bird-life  occurring  in  this  commonwealth, 
few  are  better  known  to  our  people  in  general  than  are  the  Eagles  and  Hawks,  some 
of  which  are  common  at  all  times,  or  during  some  period  of  the  year,  in  every  sec- 
tion of  the  state.  With  a  few  exceptions  these  raptores,  as  well  as  most  of  the  owls, 
particularly  the  smaller  kinds  of  owls,  are  highly  beneficial  to  the  farmer  and  Iruit- 
grower,  because  of  the  immense  quantities  of  destructive  mice  and  other  injurious 
animals,  also  large  numbers  of  noxtous  insects,  etc.,  which  they  devour.  The 
majority  of  these  birds  build  large  nests  of  sticks,  twigs,  etc.,  on  trees,  some,  how- 
ever, nest  on  rocky  ledges.  The  Marsh  Hawk  breeds  on  the  ground,  and  the  Little 
Sparrow  Hawk,  like  the  Screech  Owl  and  Woodpecker,  breeds  in  hollow  trees.  The 
eggs,  usually  two  to  five,  sometimes  more,  are  generally  spotted  and  blotched,  and 
never  spherical  and  white,  like  eggs  of  the  owls.  The  adult  males  are  usually 
smaller  than  the  females,  and  with  the  exception  of  the  Marsh  and  Sparrow  Hawks, 
are  quite  similar  in  color.  The  young  or  immature  birds,  of  most  species,  differ 
greatly  from  the  old.  These  birds  catch  their  prey  with  their  talons.  Their  cries 
are  loud  and  harsh.  Occasionally  they  are  seen  in  flocks — sometimes  containing 
several  species— hut  usually  are  observed  singly  or  in  pairs.  The  bill  is  short,  stout 
and  strongly  hooked,  the  head  is  completely  feathered  and  without  ear-tufts  or 
"horns"  like  some  of  the  owls  ;  the  tarsus,  except  in  the  Golden  Eagle  and  Rough- 
legged  Hawks,  is  naked.  The  feet  have  long,  strong,  large,  sharp  and  curved 
claws  ;  the  outer  toe,  except  in  the  Fish  Hawk,  is  not  reversible.  The  eyes  directed 
laterally. 


118  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

GENUS.  ELANOIDES  VIEILLOT. 
Elanoides  forficatus  (LiNN.). 

Swallow-tailed  Kite. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Bill  rather  small  and  moderately  stout  and  narrow  ;  feet  small  but  stout ;  claws 
short  but  strongly  curved ;  wings  very  long  and  pointed  ;  tail  long  and  deeply 
forked.  On  the  wing  this  hawk  looks  and  moves  like  a  huge  swallow.  Head,  neck, 
band  across  rump,  basal  portion  of  secondaries  and  entire  lower  parts  pure  white ; 
interscapulars  and  lesser  wing-coverts  purplish-black  ;  rest  of  back,  wings,  and  tail 
slaty-black.  Bill  blue  black  ;  legs  and  feet  dull  bluish-yellow  ;  iris  brown.  Length 
variable ;  a  female  before  me  measures  24  inches  long  ;  wing  17  ;  lateral  tail  feathers 
124  inches. 

Habitat.—  Southern  United  States,  especially  in  the  interior,  from  Pennsylvania 
and  Minnesota  southward,  through  Central  and  South  America ;  westward  to  the 
great  plains.  Casual  eastward  to  southern  New  England. 

The  Swallow-tailed  Kite,  or  "Wasp-hawk,"  as  it  is  commonly  called  in 
Florida,  where  it  is  common,  is  a  very  rare  and  irregular  visitor  in  Penn- 
sylvania. A  specimen  in  the  museum  of  the  Linnsean  Society,  at  Lan- 
caster city,  was  captured  many  years  ago  in  Lancaster  county.  Prof. 
H.  J.  Roddy  obtained  one  May  27,  1885,  in  Perry  county ;  and  a  strag- 
gler was  also  recently  found  in  Allegheny  county  by  Mr.  R.  C.  Wren- 
shall,  of  Pittsburgh.  In  the  stomachs  of  five  of  these  kites  which  I 
killed  in  Florida  in  March  and  April,  1885,  were  found  several  kinds  of 
insects.  According  to  different  writers  they  feed  principally  on  grass- 
hoppers, beetles,  caterpillars,  small  snakes,  lizards  and  frogs.  This 
hawk  rarely  alights  on  the  ground ;  its  food  is  captured  and  eaten  when 
on  the  wing. 

GENUS  ICTINIA  VIEILLOT. 
Ictinia  mississippiensis    (WiLS.).- 

Mississippi  Kite. 

DESCRIPTION. 

•'  General  form  short  ,.nd  compact.  Bill  short,  tip  emarginated  ;  wings  long, 
pointed  ;  tail  rather  short,  emarginated  ;  tarsi  short. 

"Adult. — Upper  parts  of  body  dark  lead  color,  nearly  black  on  rump ;  head  and 
under  parts  cinereous,  darkest  on  abdomen  ;  quills  and  tail  brownish-black  ;  *  * 
tips  of  secondaries  ashy-white  ;  a  longitudinal  stripe  on  each  web  of  primaries  chest- 
nut rufous."  (Length  of  male  about  14  inches;  extent  about  36;  female  a  little 
larger.)— B.  B.  of  N.  A. 

Habitat.— Southern  United  States,  southward  from  South  Carolina  on  the  coast, 
and  Wisconsin  and  Iowa  in  the  interior  to  Mexico. 

Rare  straggler  in  Pennsylvania.  I  have  never  met  with  it  in  this 
state.  The  only  specimen  that  has  been  taken  here,  so  far  as  I  can  learn, 
within  the  past  twenty  years,  was  captured  in  Perry  county  by  Prof.  H. 
J.  Roddy,  September,  1886. 


Plate  28. 


Meadow  Lark. 
1.  Males;  2.  Female, 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  119 


GENUS  CIRCUS  LACEPEDB. 
Circus  hudsonius  (LiNN.). 

Marsh  Hawk ;  Harrier ;  Bog-trotter. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  IS). 

Face  partly  encircled  by  a  ruff  or  imperfect  facial  disc  of  small  stiffened  feathers, 
as  in  the  owls  ;  nostrils  large  ;  wings  long  and  pointed  ;  tail  long  ;  tarsus  long  and 
slender. 

Male.—  Light  bluish-gray  above  and  on  neck  and  breast;  upper  tail-coverts  and 
most  of  under  parts  white ;  some  under  feathers  under  wings  and  lower  part  of 
breast  and  abdomen  spotted  with  rusty.  Female  and  young  are  dark-brown  above, 
streaked  on  head  and  neck  with  reddish-brown  ;  below  reddish-brown,  much 
brighter  in  some  specimens  than  others  ;  upper  tail  coverts  white.  Length  of  female 
about  18  to  20  inches  ;  extent  about  44  ;  tail  9  or  10  inches  ;  bill  and  claws  blackish  ; 
legs,  feet  and  eyes  yellow. 

Habitat. — North  America  in  general,  south  to  Panama. 

The  Marsh  Hawk  is  most  frequently  seen  throughout  Pennsylvania 
in  the  spring-  and  fall,  but  it  breeds  often  in  different  parts  of  the  state, 
and  in  some  of  the  southern  counties  it  is  found  during1  all  months  of 
the  year.  Its  nests,  with  eggs  or  young,  have  been  found  by  the  fol- 
lowing gentlemen  in  their  respective  counties.  Dr.  John  W.  Detwiller, 
Northampton;  R  C.  Wrenshall,  Allegheny;  H.  J.  Eoddy,  Perry;  Dr. 
Van  Fleet,  Clinton ;  Geo.  S.  Morris,  Philadelphia ;  Hon.  G.  S.  Brown, 
York;  Otto  Behr,  Sullivan;  W.  W.  Stoey,  Dauphin,  and  J.  L.  Camp, 
Bradford.  I  have  observed  the  Marsh  Hawk  to  be  most  numerous  in 
the  fall,  frequenting  the  extensive  and  grassy  meadow-lands,  chiefly 
about  the  large  streams. 

When  flying  this  species  can  easily  be  distinguished  from  other 
hawks  by  the  white  upper  tail-coverts,  so  conspicuous  in  the  females 
and  immature  birds,  or  those  usually  met  with.  The  old  male,  rare  and 
seldom  found  in  this  section,  can  be  recognized  by  the  bluish-white 
plumage. 

The  nest  of  the  Marsh  Hawk  differs  from  that  of  all  others  of  the 
family  which  breed  here,  in  being  placed  on  the  ground,  and  usually,  it 
is  said,  in  a  swamp  or  meadow.  The  nest,  according  to  differeDt 
writers,  is  composed  of  sticks,  grasses,  hay,  etc.,  or  sometimes  no  nest 
is  made,  the  eggs  simply  being  deposited  on  a  bed  of  grass,  moss,  etc., 
on  the  ground.  "  Eggs,  three  to  eight,  1.80  by  1.41,  white  or  bluish- 
white,  usually  plain,  but  often  more  or  less  spotted  or  blotched  with 
pale  brown." — Ridgway. 

Notwithstanding  the  fact  that  these  hawks  rarely,  if  ever,  prey  upon 
any  kind  of  game  except  sometimes  an  occasional  Reed  bird,  gunners, 
who  so  industriously  search  over  the  swamps,  never  fail  to  destroy  every 
Marsh  Hawk  which  comes  within  range  of  their  deadly  weapons. 

Marsh  Hawks  never,  to  my  knowledge,  disturb  poultry,  but  subsist 


120  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


mainly  on  field  mice,  other  small  quadrupeds,  frogs,  large  insects  and 
sometimes,  though  rarely,  they  catch  small  wild  birds.  In  writing  of 
the  food-habits,  etc.,  of  this  species  Nuttall  says :  "  It  frequents  chiefly, 
open,  low  and  marshy  situations,  over  which  it  sweeps  or  skims  along  at 
a  little  distance  usually  from  the  ground,  in  quest  of  mice,  small  birds, 
frogs,  lizards  and  other  reptiles,  which  it  often  selects  by  twilight  as 
well  as  in  the  open  day ;  and  at  times,  pressed  by  hunger,  it  joins  the 
owls,  and  seeks  out  its  prey  even  by  moonlight." 

In  fourteen  examinations  made  by  myself,  seven  hawks  had  only  field 
mice  in  their  stomachs ;  three,  frogs ;  two,  small  birds  (warblers);  one, 
few  feathers,  apparently  of  a  sparrow  (Melospiza)  and  fragments  of  in- 
sects ;  one,  large  number  of  grasshoppers  with  a  small  quantity  of  hair, 
evidently  that  of  a  young  rabbit. 


GENUS  ACCIPITER  *  BRISSON. 
Accipiter  velox  (WiLS.)- 

Sharp-shinned  Hawk ;  Partridge  Hawk ;  "  Pigeon  Hawk," 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  14). 

A  large  female  of  this  species  measures  about  14  inches  in  length  by  26  inches  in 
extent.  The  male  is  smaller.  In  adult  birds,  especially  the  males,  the  plumage  of 
the  upper  parts  is  bluish-gray,  quite  dark  on  top  of  head.  Iris  in  adult,  reddish 
orange,  in  young,  light  yellow. 

Habitat. — North  America  in  general,  south  to  Panama. 

This  extremely  daring  and  spirited  little  hawk  is  one  of  the  most 
abundant  of  our  North  American  species.  In  Pennsylvania  during  the 
early  spring,  autumn  and  winter  it  is  quite  plentiful,  being  frequently 
met  with  in  the  mountainous  and  heavily- wooded  districts,  as  well  as  the 
cultivated  and  rich  agricultural  regions.  It  is  a  native,  but  as  such,  is 
somewhat  rare  in  many  parts  of  the  state.  I  have  taken  two  nests,  both 
built  in  low  cedar  trees ;  these  nests  were  entirely  constructed  of  small 
twigs,  and  were  loosely,  but  firmly,  made.  The  cavity  of  one  nest  was 

*  Birds  of  this  genus  are  rather  long  and  slender  in  form,  and  they  have  small  heads,  short  wings,  long 
tails  and  legs.  The  bluish-black  bill  is  short  and  stout,  maxilla  being  strongly  hooked  and  sharp-pointed; 
the  broad  ovate  nostrils  are  Inserted  in  the  greenish  or  yellowish  cere.  The  tarsi  are  feathered  in  front 
a  little  less  than  half  the  length.  Tarsus,  especially  in  velox,  is  slender  and  in  atricapillus  rather  stout; 
the  toes  are  long  and  slender,  the  outer  and  middle  united  at  base  by  a  well-developed  web.  The  black 
claws  are  very  long,  much  curved  and  sharp;  eyes  In  old  birds  are  reddish-amber  and  in  younger  birds 
yellowish.  The  tarsus  is  yellowish.  Birds  of  this  genus  are  exceedingly  active  and  vigilant;  they  fly 
with  great  rapidity  and  frequently  pursue  and  catch  when  on  the  wing  different  species  of  wild  birds, 
some  of  which  are  nearly  as  large  as  themselves.  The  Sharp-shinned  Hawk.  1  have  seen,  capture  quail 
when  flying,  and  the  fierce  Goshawk  has  often  been  observed  to  pursue  and  overtake  Wild  Pigeons. 
These,  and  not,  as  some  suppose,  birds  of  the  genus  Bateo.  are  the  hawks  that  usually  commit  depreda- 
tions in  the  poultry  yard  and  destroy  numerous  wild  birds,  particularly  Grouse  and  Quail.  The  ordinary 
plumage  of  these  hawks  is  dark  brown  above  (very  old  birds,  which  are  seldom  taken,  have  upper  parts 
bluish),  darkest  on  head,  and  lower  parts  whitish,  variously  streaked  and  barred  with  dark  brown,  rusty 
and  pale  red.  In  ola  Cooper's  and  Sharp-shinned  Hawks  the  breast,  thighs  and  rest  of  under  parts,  ex- 
cept crissum  and  throat  which  are  chiefly  white,  are  white  transversly  barred  with  light  red.  Full-plumaged 
Goshawks  have  top  of  head  black  with  light  grayish-blue  and  whitish  under  parts,  with  numerous  and 
irregular  mottlings.  streaks,  and  lines  of  black,  white  and  dusky. 


Plate  29. 


Baltimore  Oriole,  or  Hang-nest. 
1.  Male  Adult;  2.  Young  Male;  3.  Female 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  121 


quite  superficial,  but  that  of  the  other  was  well-formed.  The  eggs — each 
nest  contained  five — are  deposited  about  the  first  of  May.  They  are 
nearly  spherical,  white  or  bluish -white,  marked  with  large  and  irreg- 
ular splashes  or  blotches  of  brown,  and  measure  about  1.46  by  1.16 
inches.  Gentry,  a  close  observer  and  facile  writer,  remarks  in  his  "Life- 
Histories  of  Birds,"  that  the  "  eggs,  in  some  instances,  are  laid  on  con- 
secutive days,  but  we  have  positive  proofs  that  sometimes  a  single  day 
is  intermitted,  and  at  other  times,  even  two  and  three  days  intervene  be- 
tween each  deposit."  In  one  of  my  nests  I  found  two  days  to  intervene 
after  the  deposition  of  each  of  three  eggs,  and  the  fifth  ovum  was  de- 
posited after  an  intervention  of  three  days.  Gentry  has  found  them 
breeding  in  the  deserted  nest  of  the  common  grey  squirrel.  Mr.  J. 
Hoopes  Matlack,  of  West  Chester,  informs  me  he  found  a  pair  breeding 
in  an  old  crow's  nest ;  such  sites,  however,  Gentry  advises  us,  are  rarely 
chosen.  It  is  said  this  species  will  sometimes  nidificate  on  a  ledge  or 
rock  or  hollow  and  decaying  tree  limbs.  One  nest,  which  I  had  the  op- 
portunity of  observing  from  its  early  commencement,  was  built  by  the 
united  labor  of  both  birds,  which  occupied  a  period  of  seven  days. 
Gentry,  who,  doubtless,  has  had  a  more  extensive  experience,  gives  three 
or  four  days,  according  to  the  style,  as  the  time  requisite  for  the  con- 
struction of  the  nest.  Various  writers  assert  that  dry  grass,  leaves,  moss, 
etc.,  aid  in  the  make-up  of  the  nests ;  such,  no  doubt,  is  the  case,  but  as 
previously  stated,  I  have  found  sticks  and  twigs  to  solely  constitute  the 
nests.  Incubation  is  alternately  engaged  in  by  both  birds,  which,  while 
they  show  great  solicitude  for  their  offspring,  repelling  all  bird  intruders 
with  the  most  determined  zeal  and  pugnacity,  will,  when  molested  by 
man,  show  marked  timidity,  and  leave  to  his  desecration  their  nest  and 
its  contents.  The  young  are  carefully  watched  and  fed  by  the  parents, 
chiefly  on  a  diet  of  small  birds — sparrows  principally — until,  Gentry 
says,  they  are  about  six  weeks  old,  when  they  are  able  to  provide  food 
for  themselves. 

According  to  Nuttall,  "  this  species  feeds  principally  upon  mice,  liz- 
ards, small  birds,  and  sometimes  even  squirrels.  In  thinly-settled  dis- 
tricts, this  hawk  seems  to  abound,  and  proves  extremely  destructive  to 
young  chickens,  a  single  bird  having  been  known  regularly  to  come 
every  day  until  he  had  carried  away  between  twenty  and  thirty."  The 
same  writer  relates  a  circumstance,  where  he  was  one  day  conversing 
with  a  planter,  when  one  of  these  hawks  came  down  and  without  any 
ceremony  or  heeding  the  loud  cries  of  the  housewife,  who  most  reluc- 
tantly witnessed  the  robbery,  snatched  away  a  chicken  directly  before 
them. 

Dr.  Cones  says :  "  It  preys  chiefly  upon  small  birds  and  quadrupeds, 
capturing  in  the  dashing  manner  of  all  the  species  of  this  group,  and, 
like  its  small  allies,  feeds  to  some  extent  upon  insects."  Since  the  ad- 
vent and  alarming  increase  of  the  English  Sparrow,  it  is  not  unusual  for 


122 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


the  Sharp-shinned  Hawk  to  pay  occasional  visits  to  towns  and  villages 
where  he  should  be  heartily  welcomed  for  the  destruction  he  causes 
among  these  feathered  pests. 

The  food  of  nineteen  of  these  hawks  which  I  have  examined  is  given 
in  the  following  table : 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1 

Sept.     7.  1878. 

Chester  county,  Pa. 

Small  bird  (Melospiza). 

2 

Sept.    14,  1878, 

Chester  county,  Pa. 

Quail. 

3 

Nov.    20.  1878. 

Newark,  Delaware, 

Chicken. 

4 

Feb.     17,  1879, 

Chester  county.  Pa. 

Snow  bird  (Junco). 

5 

May      3,  1879, 

Chester  county,  Pa. 

Mice  (Arvicola).                                                 [mice. 

6 

Sept.   10.  1879, 

Chester  county,  PP. 

Sparrow  (Passer  domestlcus  )  and  portions  of  fleld- 

7 

May     30.  1880. 

Delaware  county,  P« 

i.. 

Chicken. 

8 

June     2,  1880, 

Chester  county.  Pa. 

Chicken. 

9 

June     3,  1880. 

Chester  county,  Pa. 

Chicken. 

10 

Aug.    23,  1881. 

Chester  county,  Pa. 

Grasshoppers  and  beetles. 

11 

Oct.      16,  1881, 

Chester  county,  Pa. 

Quail. 

12 

Oct.      29,  1881. 

Chester  county,  Pa. 

Quail  and  fragments  of  beetles. 

13 

June    22,  1881, 

Lancaster  county,  P 

a.. 

Chicken. 

14 

Oct.      —  ,  1881, 

Chester  county,  Pa. 

Meadow  Lark  (Sturnella). 

15 

Dec.     13,  1882. 

Chester  county,  Pa. 

Song  Sparrow  (Melospiza  ). 

16 

April     3,  1882, 

Chester  county,  Pa. 

Robin  (Merula). 

17 
18 
19 

Sept.    20.  1884. 
Oct.       3,  1886. 
Nov.    26,  1886, 

Chester  county,  Pa. 
Chester  county,  Pa. 
Chester  county,  Pa. 

Sparrow  (Spizella  pusilla). 
Sparrow  (Passer  domesticus). 
Song  Sparrow  (M.  fasciata). 

Accipiter  cooperi  (BONAP.). 


Cooper's  Hawk. 


DESCRIPTION  (Plate  67). 


Length  18  to  20  inches ;  extent  about  36 ;  tail  about  8g ;  male  smaller.  Immature 
birds  have  upper  parts  brownish,  more  or  less  spotted  with  white  and  reddish  brown, 
tail  barred  and  lower  parts  white  with  long  brown  spots. 

Habitat.—  North  America  in  general,  south  to  southern  Mexico. 

This  much  detested  and  commonly  called  "  Long-tailed  Chicken  or 
Pheasant  Hawk,"  is  a  common  native  ;  it  is  resident,  but  is  not  near  so 
plentiful  during  the  winter  months  as  throughout  the  late  spring,  sum. 
mer  and  early  autumn. 

For  impudent  daring  this  species,  without  doubt,  ranks  preeminent 
among  the  raptorial  genera.  Almost  every  farmer  or  poultry  raiser  can 
reiterate  instances  of  where  he  or  she  was  the  victim  of  pillage  by  this 
bold  and  audacious  marauder.  In  the  spring  of  1878  a  friend  presented 
me  with  a  Cooper's  Hawk  which  he  had  caught  in  a  steel  trap,  but  not 
until  he  and  his  mate  had  destroyed  some  fifty  young  chickens.  Dur- 
ing one  day  they  killed  twelve.  "  This  marauder  sometimes  attacks 
birds  far  superior  to  itself  in  weight,  and  sometimes  possessed  of  a  cour- 
age and  strength  equal  to  its  own.  As  I  was  one  morning  observing 
the  motions  of  some  Parakeets,  near  Bayou  Sara,  in  Louisiana,  in  the 
month  of  November,  I  heard  a  cock  crowing  not  far  from  me  and  in 
sight  of  a  farm  house.  The  hawk  next  moment  flew  past  me,  and  so 
close  that  I  might  have  touched  it  with  the  barrel  of  rny  gun  had  I  been 
prepared.  Not  more  than  a  few  seconds  elapsed  before  I  heard  the  cack- 
ling of  the  hens  and  the  war  cry  of  the  cock,  and  at  the  same  time  ob- 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  123 


served  the  hawk  rising,  as  if  without  effort,  a  few  yards  in  the  air,  and  again 
falling  toward  the  ground  with  the  rapidity  of  lightning.  I  proceeded 
to  the  spot  and  found  the  hawk  grappled  to  the  body  of  the  cock,  both 
tumbling  over  and  over,  and  paying  no  attention  to  me  as  I  approached. 
Desirous  of  seeing  the  result,  I  remained  still  until,  perceiving  that  the 
hawk  had  given  a  fatal  squeeze  to  the  brave  cock,  I  ran  to  secure  the 
former ;  but  the  marauder  had  kept  a  hawk's  eye  upon  me,  and,  disen- 
gaging himself,  rose  in  the  air  in  full  confidence.  The  next  moment  I 
pulled  the  trigger  and  he  fell  dead  to  the  ground." — Audubon. 

Like  the  Sparrow  Hawk  this  bird  has  been  tamed  to  come  at  call. 

Nidification  commonly  is  begun  about  the  20th  of  April,  and  lasts  for 
a  period  of  from  three  to  five  days.  Occasionally  this  bird  will  (deposit 
its  eggs  in  a  deserted  crow's  nest.  I  believe  they  prefer  to  erect  their 
own  nests,  and,  from  my  observation,  am  quite  positive  they  only  ap- 
propriate the  nests  of  other  birds  when  their  own  have  been  destroyed. 
The  building  of  the  nest  is  the  conjoint  labor  of  both  birds.  It  is  usually 
built  in  a  thick  woods.  When  in  such  a  locality  is  mostly  low  down, 
yet,  when,  as  is  occasionally  the  case,  an  isolated  tree  is  selected  as  the 
nesting  site,  it  is  frequently  so  placed  as  to  render  it  inaccessible  to  all 
advances  of  the  oologist.  Externally  the  nest  is  built  of  sticks,  varying 
much  in  size.  It  is  generally  lined  with  the  inner  layer  of  bark,  al- 
though, frequently,  blades  of  grass,  feathers,  and  leaves  enter  into  the 
construction  of  the  interior.  While  certain  writers  have  described  the 
nest  as  broad,  with  but  a  slight  concavity,  I  would  remark  that  such 
statement  is  not  in  accord  with  my  observations,  as  I  have  invariably 
found  the  concavities  to  be  well  marked. 

The  eggs  measure  about  1.92  by  1.50  and  usually  number  from  three 
to  four,  although  it  is  not  a  rare  occurrence  to  find  five.  Their  color  is 
a  dull,  bluish-white.  Exceptional  sets  are  sometimes  taken  with  numer- 
ous and  unevenly  distributed  brown  or  reddish  spots.  A  gentleman  of 
my  acquaintance  once  took  four  eggs  from  a  nest  which  were  void  of 
spots.  The  female,  although  driven  off  when  the  first  complement  was 
taken,  made  in  the  same  nest  a  second  deposit  of  four  eggs,  and,  strange  to 
say,  the  last  were  all  spotted.  The  period  of  incubation  is  given  by 
Gentry  to  be  eighteen  days.  Although  in  this  particular,  my  observa- 
tion has  been  somewhat  limited,  I  am  fully  persuaded  that  the  time  re- 
quired for  this,  likewise  other  of  our  Rapacia,  is,  certainly,  three  weeks, 
or  over.  The  young  leave  the  nest  in  about  twenty-five  days ;  when 
about  eight  or  nine  weeks  old  they  are  able  to  provide  food  for  them- 
selves; to  this  time,  however,  they  are  carefully  guarded  by  the  old 
birds,  and  fed  almost  entirely  on  a  diet  of  small  birds,  young  chickens, 
and  some  few  insects. 

Dr.  Coues  says  in  speaking  of  this  hawk:  "Possessed  of  spirit  com- 
mensurate with  its  physical  powers,  it  preys  upon  game  little  if  any 
humbler  than  that  of  our  more  powerful  falcons.  It  attacks  and  de- 


124  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


stroys  hares,  grouse,  teal,  and  even  the  young  of  larger  ducks,  in  the 
state  in  which  they  are  known  as  '  flappers,'  besides  capturing  the  usual 
variety  of  smaller  birds  and  quadrupeds.  It  occasionally  seizes  upon 
reptiles  or  picks  up  insects.  In  securing  its  prey  it  gives  chase  openly 
and  drives  down  its  quarry  with  almost  incredible  velocity." 

Thirty-four  Cooper's  Hawks,  which  I  have  examined,  sixteen  showed 
the  food  taken  to  have  been  chickens ;  ten  revealed  small  birds — spar- 
rows, warblers  and  meadow  larks — two,  quail ;  one,  bull-frogs ;  three, 
mice  and  insects ;  two,  hair  and  other  remains  of  small  quadrupeds. 

Accipiter  atricapillus  (WiLS.). 

American  Goshawk ;  Blue  Hawk. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  83). 

Length  24  inches  ;  extent  "about  46  ;"  wing  14^;  tail  11^;  male  smaller. 

Adult. — Above  dark  lead  color,  black  on  top  of  head;  white  stripe  over  eye,  and 
more  or  less  indistinct  about  occiput ;  tail  has  four  or  five  indistinct  blackish  bars  ; 
ends  of  tail  feathers  whitish  ;  lower  parts  pale  ashy  white,  with  a  faint  leaden  tint, 
sharply  streaked  with  blackish  and  finely  mottled  or  barred  with  white.  The  young 
dark  brown  above,  feathers  edged  and  spotted,  with  whitish  and  pale  reddish-brown  ; 
below  yellowish-white  and  spotted  with  brown. 

Habitat.— Northern  and  eastern  North  America,  breeding  mostly  north  of  the 
United  States.  South  in  winter  to  the  middle  States.  Accidental  in  England. 

This  fierce  and  predatory  hawk  is  by  no  means  as  common  as  either 
of  the  two  species  previously  mentioned.  I  have  observed  the  "  Blue 
Hawk,"  as  it  is  called  by  hunters  and  lumbermen,  only  as  a  rare  and 
irregular  winter  visitor  in  Pennsylvania.  Audubon  found  the  Goshawk 
breeding  in  the  Great  Pine  swamp  in  this  state.  Fifteen  or  twenty 
years  ago  these  hawks,  it  is  said,  were  very  frequently  seen  during  all 
seasons  in  the  counties  of  Cameron,  Warren,  Elk,  Potter,  Wyoming, 
Forest  and  McKean,  where  they  then,  it  is  stated,  bred  regularly.  Mr. 
M.  M.  Larrabee,  Emporium,  Cameron  county,  says  he  always  met  with 
Goshawks  about  the  nesting  places  of  wild  pigeons,  but  when  the 
pigeons  left  his  locality  these  hawks  also  departed,  and  are  now  seen 
there  only  as  rare  winter  visitors.  Mr.  Otto  Behr,  Lopez,  Sullivan 
county,  in  a  letter  dated  February  28,  1890,  kindly  furnishes  the  follow- 
ing information  showing  that  the  species  still  breeds  in  Pennsylvania : 
"  Where  we  live  there  is  any  amount  of  virgin  forest ;  altitude  from  1,600 
to  2,500  feet.  The  Goshawk  breeds  regularly  in  this  locality.  We 
found  the  nests  of  two,  at  different  times,  both  had  one  young  ready  to 
leave  the  nest,  which  was  built  in  both  cases  in  the  crotch  of  a  beech, 
and  composed  of  rather  large  sticks,  making  a  very  bulky  and  coarse 
looking  affair.  We  kept  one  of  the  hawks  until  late  in  the  fall,  when 
he  broke  loose  and  got  away."  Prof.  H.  Justin  Roddy,  of  Millersville} 
writing  to  me  in  July,  1889,  says :  "  I  spent  two  months,  last  July,  in  the 
pine  forests  of  Centre  county.  I  there  saw  A.  atricapillus.  I  did  not 


Plate  30. 


Plirple  Finch.  Male  and  Female. 
3.  Chipping  Sparrow,  Male.  4.  Song  Sparrow. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


125 


secure  any  specimens  nor  find  the  nest,  but  the  time  of  year,  the  circum- 
stances under  which  I  saw  them  would  seem  to  show  that  they  had  bred 
or  were  breeding-."  Mr.  Robert  Ridgway  states  that  the  eggs,  two  to 
three,  measure  2.31  long  by  1.74  wide,  and  are  white  or  glaucous-white, 
sometimes  very  faintly  marked  with  pale  brownish. 

The  following  list  will  give  a  very  good  idea  of  the  distribution  and 
scarcity  of  this  species  in  our  state.  No  persons  other  than  those  men- 
tioned below  have  made  any  reference  to  the  Goshawk  in  reports  re- 
ceived by  the  author : 


COUNTY. 


OBSERVERS. 


REMARKS. 


Berks 

Cameron.  .  . 
Clearfleld.  .  . 
Clinton.  .  .  . 
Chester.  .  .  . 
Centre.  .  . 
Dauphin.  .  . 

Erie 

Lehigh.  .  .  . 
Lycoming. 

Lackawanna. 
Lancaster,  .  . 
Montgomery. 
Northampton. 
Do. 

Perry 

Sullivan.  .  . 
Susquehanna. 
Warren.  .  .  . 
York. 


D.  F.  Keller.  .  .  . 

M.  M.  Larrabee.  . 

Dr.  L.  D.  Balliet. 

Dr.  Van  Fleet.   .   . 

B.  H.  Warren.  .  . 

H.  J.  Roddy,  .  .  . 

B.  H.  Warren.  .  . 

George  B.  Bennett. 

J.  F.  Kocher,  . 

Charles  H.  Eldon 
;  August  Kock.     . 
!  George  P.  Frlant.     . 

Dr.  A.  C.  Treichler. 

Thos.  S.  Gillin. 

O.  B.  Hark,     . 

Dr.  John  W.  Detwlller 

H.  J.  Roddy,  . 

Otto  Behr,     .  . 

B.  H.  Warren,  .   . 

H.  L.  Greenlund. 

Hon.  G.  C.  Brown. 


Rare  winter  visitor. 

Rare  winter  visitor. 

Occasional  visitor. 

Rare  migrant. 

Irregular  winter  visitor  :  five  seen  in  ten  years. 

Seen  July,  1888  ;  probably  breeds. 

Saw  one  January.  1887. 

Rare  visitor. 

Rare  winter  visitor. 

Straggler  in  winter. 

Rare  visitor  ;  have  an  immature  bird  taken  in  winter. 

Rare  ;   winter;  have  received  three  in  ten  years. 

Straggler  in  winter. 

Rare  migrant. 

Straggler. 

Occasional  winter  visitor. 

Shot  female  June.  1885  ;  probably  breeds. 

Regular  breeder. 

Saw  one  December.  1889 

Straggler  in  severe  winters. 

Rare  visitor. 


NOTE. — Mr.  Joseph  Krider  and  other  taxidermists  in  Philadelphia  and  different 
parts  of  the  state  say  they  very  rarely  have  Goshawks  brought  to  them. 

The  fierce  nature  of  this  species  is  well  shown  in  the  concluding  par- 
agraphs from  the  pen  of  my  highly  esteemed  friend,  L.  M.  Turner :  * 
"  The  tracts  preferred  by  this  Goshawk  are  the  narrow  valleys,  borders 
of  streams,  and  the  open  tundra,  which  it  constantly  scans  for  Ptarmi- 
gan and  small  mammals ;  the  Lemming  forming  a  considerable  portion 
of  its  food.  It  will  sit  for  hours  in  some  secluded  spot,  awaiting  a  Ptar- 
migan to  raise  its  wings.  No  sooner  does  its  prey  rise  a  few  feet  from 
the  earth  than  with  a  few  rapid  strokes  of  the  wing,  and  a  short  sail, 
the  Goshawk  is  brought  within  seizing  distance  ;  it  pounces  upon  the 
bird,  grasping  it  with  both  feet  under  the  wings,  and  after  giving  it  a 
few  blows  on  the  head  they  both  fall  to  the  ground ;  often  tumbling 
several  feet  before  they  stop,  the  hawk  not  relinquishing  its  hold  during 
the  time.  During  the  mating  season  of  the  Ptarmigans  many  males 
suffer  death  while  striving  to  gain  the  affection  of  the  female,  for  as  he 
launches  high  in  air,  rattling  his  hoarse  note  of  defiance  to  any  other 
male  of  its  kind  in  the  vicinity,  the  Goshawk  darts  from  a  patch  of  alders 
or  willows,  or  from  the  edge  of  the  neighboring  bluff,  and  with  a  dash 
they  come  to  the  ground,  often  within  a  few  yards  of  the  terror-stricken 

*  Contributions  to  the  Natural  History  of  Alaska,  results  of  investigations  made  chiefly  in  the  Yukon 
district  and  the  Aleutian  islands  :  conducted  under  the  auspices  of  the  U.  S.  Signal  Service,  extending 
from  May.  1874,  to  August.  1881.  by  L.  M.  Turner. 


126  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

female,  who  now  seeks  safety  in  flight  as  distant  as  her  wings  will  carry 
her.  I  have  seen  this  hawk  sail  without  a  quiver  of  its  pinions,  until 
within  seizing  distance  of  its  quarry,  and  suddenly  throw  its  wings  back, 
when  with  a  clash  they  came  together,  and  the  vicinity  was  filled  with 
white  feathers,  floating  peacefully  through  the  air.  I  secured  both  birds, 
and  found  the  entire  side  of  the  Ptarmigan  ripped  open. 

"  On  another  occasion  I  shot  a  fine  individual  as  it  rose  from  a  small 
clump  of  willow,  to  which  I  had  approached  unobserved  by  the  bird. 
It  had  been  devouring  a  Ptarmigan,  which  it  had  secured  but  a  little 
while  before.  The  flesh  of  the  bird  was  yet  warm,  though  nearly  all 
devoured.  The  Goshawk  was  only  wing-tipped  with  shot  and  proved 
to  be  quite  vicious,  seizing  my  boot  with  its  talons  and  striving  to  grasp 
my  hand  with  its  beak.  The  bird  was  so  quick  that  I  had  to  call  the 
assistance  of  a  native  to  detach  the  claws  from  my  clothing.  Upon 
skinning  the  bird  I  found  its  crop  to  be  full  of  the  flesh  of  the  bird  it 
was  eating  when  I  flushed  it.  I  am  under  the  impression  that  the  Gos- 
hawk is  not  able  to  fly  with  the  weight  of  a  Ptarmigan  in  its  claws.  It' 
is  a  resident  of  the  interior  and  comes  to  the  coast  quite  early  in  spring." 


GENUS  BUTEO*  CUVIER 
Buteo  borealis  (GMEL.). 

Red-tailed  Hawk. 

DESCRIPTION     (Plate  15). 

The  adult  is  easily  recognized  by  the  red  tail.     The  tail  in  young  birds  is  usually 
ashy-brown,  with  about  ten  darker  bands.     Tail  in  both  old  and  young  is  generally 


*  Birds  of  this  genius,  especially  borealis  and  Uneatus  are  the  large  hawks  which  we  see,  particularly  in 
the  late  fall,  winter  and  early  spring,  frequenting  grassy  fields,  meadows,  swamps,  etc.  These  birds  are 
the  common  • '  hen  hawks  "  or  "  chicken  hawks1'  as  they  are  usually  called  ;  but  such  names  are  highly 
inappropriate,  as  a  very  small  percentage  of  their  food  is  poultry.  Three  species  (especially  borealis  and 
Uneatus)  are  common  residents  in  Pennsylvania.  In  order  to  give  a  clear  idea  of  the  great  benefits  these 
"  hen  hawks  "  render  the  agriculturist  and  fruit  grower,  the  following  extracts,  relating  to  the  stomach 
contents  of  over  four  hundred,  captured  during  all  seasons  of  the  year.  In  various  parts  of  the  United 
States,  are  taken  from  Dr.  Fisher's  report  (Food  of  hawks  and  owls,  by  Dr.  A.  K.  Fisher,  assistant  or- 
nithologist. Annual  report  of  U.  S.  Dept.  Agr. ,  Washington,  D.  C.,  1887);  Red-tailed  Hawk  (B.  borea- 
lis): Of  311  stomachs  examined,  29 contained  poultry  or  game  birds;  35  other  birds;  203,  mice;  55,  other 
mammals:  9,  batrachians  or  reptiles;  24.  insects;  3,  craw-fish;  4.  offal;  and  29  were  empty.  Twohundred 
and  ten  examined  by  the  division  contained  270  mice.  Red-shouldered  Hawk  (B.  Uneatus):  Of  102  stom- 
achs examined,  1  contained  poultry;  5,  other  birds;  61,  mice;  20.  other  mammals;  15,  reptiles  or  batrachi- 
ans: 40.  insects;  7,  spiders;  3,  crawfish;  1,  earthworm;  1,  offal;  1,  catfish;  and  3  were  empty.  Broad- 
winged  Hawk  (JB.  latiasimus):  Of  22  stomachs  examined.  2  contained  small  birds;  3,  mice;  5.  other  mam- 
mals; 8  reptiles  or  batrachians;  10,  insects;  and  1,  earthworms.  The  mammals  mentioned  here  refer 
mostly  to  mice,  shrew,  moles,  some  few  squirrels  and  a  few  other  kinds  of  quadrupeds.  These  hawks  in 
form  are  stout  and  heavy ;  the  wings  long,  wide  and  somewhat  pointed ;  third,  fourth  and  fifth  quills  longest, 
the  first  shorter  than  eighth,  the  three  outer  primaries  in  latissimus  emarginate  on  innerwebs,  and  in  borealis 
and  Uneatus  the  four  outer  quills  emarginate  on  inner  webs.  The  moderately  long  tall,  conspicuously  barred 
or  highly  colored,  is  quite  broad  and  slightly  rounded;  the  bluish-black  bill  is  short,  wide  at  base,  and  max- 
illa is  lobedon  edges.  Legs  and  feet  stout:  tarsus  feathered  In  front  about  third  of  length;  thighs  have 
long  feathers  that  in  some  individuals  reach  nearly  to  the  feet.  Tarsi  yellowish ;  cere  yellowish  or  green- 
ish; the  eyes  vary  greatly,  but  are  usually  brown  or  yellow.  Sexes  similar  in  color;  female  larger  than 
male:  immature  birds  differ  greatly  from  the  adults.  The  flight  of  these  hawks  is  quite  vigorous,  and  that 
of  borealis.  in  particular,  is  often  long  continued;  but  they  do  not  fly  with  the  great  rapidity  of  species  of 
the  genus  Accipiter. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  127 

tipped  with  white.  Breast  of  adult  mostly  spotted  or  marked  with  reddish-brown; 
in  the  young,  breast  is  pure  white  enclosed  by  numerous  dark  markings.  Length 
of  male,  19  to  22  inches  ;  extent  of  wings,  41  to  47  inches.  Female— length,  22  to  24 
inches  ;  extent,  51  to  55  inches.  From  a  careful  examination  of  over  one  hundred  of 
these  hawks,  I  have  found  that  they,  like  other  of  the  raptores,  not  only  vary  greatly 
in  the  markings  of  their  plumage,  but  also  show  marked  differences  in  the  color  of 
the  irides.  The  iris  of  the  adult,  though  usually  brown,  is  sometimes  both  brown 
and  yellowish.  In  immature  birds  the  iris  is  commonly  straw  color,  but  sometimes 
it  is  nearly  white,  and  occasionally,  though  rarely,  is  brown  ;  in  other  specimens  T 
have  seen  one-half  of  the  iris  brown  while  the  remainder  would  be  white  or  yel- 
lowish. In  immature  birds,  light-colored  irides  with  specks  of  brown  are  frequent 
Habitat. — Eastern  North  America,  west  to  the  great  plains. 

This  hawk — the  most  abundant  of  our  raptorial  birds — is  the  detested 
"  Hen  Hawk  "  of  the  farmer.  The  Eed-tailed  Hawk  is  exceedingly  shy 
and  wary,  and  is  taken  with  difficulty,  unless  approached  on  horse  back 
or  in  a  sleigh  or  wagon.  Bed-tailed  Hawks  in  their  fall  migrations  are 
gregarious.  One  clear,  cold  autumn  afternoon  in  1876, 1  saw,  near  West 
Chester,  a  flock  of  these  hawks.  The  sky  was  destitute  of  clouds,  ex- 
cept a  cumulus  stratum  directly  beneath,  and  apparently  about  half  way 
between  the  hawks  and  the  earth.  In  the  center  of  this  vapor  was  an 
opening  of  sufficient  size  to  enable  me  to  watch  the  gyrations  of  the 
birds ;  two  of  them  suddenly  separated  from  the  main  body,  approached 
each  other  screaming,  and  apparently  in  great  rage.  They  descended 
screaming,  and,  to  all  appearances,  clinched,  to  within  about  one  hundred 
yards  of  the  earth,  when  they  parted.  Evidently  neither  bird  had  re- 
ceived much  injury,  as  they  both,  after  taking  short  flights  across  the 
meadow,  ascended  in  company  with  two  or  three  of  their  companions 
that  had  accompanied  them  part  way  down,  to  the  main  body.  Another 
individual  closed  his  wings  until  the  body  presented  a  triangular  outline, 
descended  with  almost  lightening-like  rapidity  to  the  top  of  a  sycamore, 
where  it  alighted,  and  remained  for  some  seconds  pluming  itself.  This 
party  of  hawks,  after  performing  for  nearly  twenty  minutes,  these,  and 
numerous  other  aerial  antics,  continued  their  southern  flight.  Combats 
in  midair  are  quite  common  among  Eed-tailed  Hawks.  I  have  repeat- 
edly witnessed  such  battles,  and  am  fully  convinced  that  in  the  great 
majority  of  cases  food  is  the  incentive  to  such  action.  Illustrative  of  the 
superior  vision  of  this  hawk — and  the  same  applies  to  other  of  the  Ra- 
pacia — the  following  is  given,  as  observed  by  the  writer:  A  clear  morn- 
ing early  in  March,  I  saw  a  Red-tail  circling  over  the  meadows ;  every 
circle  took  him  higher  and  higher  in  the  air,  until  at  an  altitude  where 
he  appeared  no  larger  than  a  blackbird,  he  stopped,  and  with  nearly 
closed  wings,  Descended  like  an  arrow  to  a  tree  near  by  me  ;  from  this 
perch,  almost  the  same  instant  he  had  alighted,  he  flew  to  the  ground 
and  snatched  from  its  grassy  covert  a  mouse.  The  momentum  with 
which  this  bird  passed  through  the  atmosphere  produced  a  sound  not 
very  unlike  that  of  the  rush  of  distant  water.  This  species  when  wounded, 


128  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

like  all  other  rapacious  birds,  will  defend  itself  with  its  claws  and  bill 
against  all  advances.  A  stick  or  gun  barrel  presented  to  it,  when  crip- 
pled, will  be  grasped,  and  the  bird  can  be  carried  pendant  from  the  same 
a  considerable  distance  before  it  will  loose  its  hold.  With  such  tenacity 
do  they  hold  on  that  a  friend  of  mine  who  had  winged  one,  in  his  en- 
deavors to  capture  it  alive,  had  the  bird  to  fasten  on  his  forearm  with 
both  claws ;  to  relieve  himself  he  was  obliged  to  take  out  his  penknife 
and  sever  the  tendons  of  both  legs. 

Nest  building  generally  occurs  in  March  and  lasts  from  eight  to 
fifteen  days.  The  nest  is  built  in  the  woods,  commonly  on  a  large  oak 
or  hickory  tree.  A  pair  of  these  hawks  resorted  for  five  consecutive 
years  to  a  large  oak  tree  (Quercus  tinctoria),  for  nesting  purposes,  in  a 
belt  of  timber  adjacent  to  the  far-famed  Deborah's  Rock,  East  Bradford 
township.  The  nest  a  rather  bulky  structure,  is  made,  externally,  of 
sticks  and  twigs,  some  of  the  former  being  an  inch  in  thickness ;  inter- 
nally, it  is  lined  with  leaves  and  the  inner  layer  of  bark — usually  from 
the  oak  and  chestnut  trees.  This  lining  of  bark  is  frequently  torn  in 
shreds. 

Certain  ornithologists,  Audubon  among  the  number,  have  found  five 
eggs  in  their  nests.  I  have,  however,  mostly  found  two,  and  on  no 
occasion  have  I  found  more  than  three  to  constitute  the  full  complement. 
The  eggs,  about  2.40  by  1.85  inches,  vary  much  in  their  markings.  Their 
ground  color  is  a  dull  white  or  rusty  white,  marked  with  minute  brown 
spots,  or  with  large  purplish  dark-brown  blotches,  often  covering  the 
greater  part  of  the  egg.  Incubation  lasts  about  three  weeks.  Certain 
writers  claim  that  this  species  will  boldly  defend  invasion  of  its  home 
on  the  part  of  man.  Such  may  have  been  the  experience  of  others,  but 
such  statement  is  the  reverse  of  my  experience.  I  have  taken  both  eggs 
and  young,  and,  as  yet,  I  have  encountered  no  opposition ;  but  have 
found  them  cowardly,  flying  away,  in  fact,  beyond  gunshot  at  my  ap- 
proach, uttering  cries  of  distress,  and  seemingly  to  engage  in  mutual 
condolence  over  their  misfortune. 

During  the  breeding  season  they  frequently  hunt  together  for  food  for 
themselves  and  young,  "  and  if,  perchance,  they  spy  a  squirrel  on  a  tree, 
one  will  drive  it  while  the  other  poises  itself  ready  to  seize  it  if  it  dodges 
to  the  other  side  to  evade  the  grasp  of  the  first  hawk.  From  the  two 
there  is  no  escape.  Grasping  it  firmly  by  the  neck,  the  assailant  prac- 
tically demonstrates  the  possibility  of  garroting  its  victim,  when  the  ill- 
fated  squirrel  is  carried  to  the  eyry  and  torn  to  pieces  to  satiate  the 
cravings  of  their  rapacious  young." — Wood.  In  consequence  of  limited 
space  it  is  impracticable  to  give  in  detail  the  results  of  dissections  which 
I  have  made  of  this  species,  but  would  state  briefly  that  my  examina 
tions  of  one  hundred  and  seventy-three  Red-tails  captured  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, chiefly  in  Chester  county,  revealed  in  one  hundred  and  twenty- 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  129 


eight,  principally  field-mice  (Arvicola)  and  other  small  quadrupeds,  also 
some  few  small  birds ;  in  nine  of  these  one  hundred  and  twenty-eight 
hawks,  small  birds  were  present  in  addition  to  the  quadrupeds.  Four- 
teen had  fed  on  chickens  •  six,  small  birds— meadowlarks  and  sparrows ; 
six,  rabbits;  three,  quail;  three,  red  squirrels;  three,  mice  and  insects; 
three,  snakes;  two,  remains  of  skunk;  two,  carrion;  one,  ham  skin;  one, 
meat,  probably  beef.  I  have  repeatedly  found  three  and  four  mice  in 
the  viscera  of  one  bird,  oftentimes  five,  and  in  a  few  instances  as  many 
as  seven  of  these  destructive  little  rodents  were  obtained  from  the  crop 
and  stomach  of  one  hawk. 

NOTE. — Harlan's  Hawk  (Buteo  harlani,  Aud.)  mentioned,  page  237,  in  first  edi- 
tion of  Birds  of  Pennsylvania,  is  not  a  distinct  species  but  a  race  or  "form"  of  the 
Red-tail.  The  technical  name  of  Harlan's  Hawk  should  be,  Mr.  Ridgway  says, 
Buteo  borealis  harlani  (Aud.).  See  Auk.  Vol.  vii,  No.  2,  p.  205.  The  only  specimen 
of  this  variety  of  the  Red-tailed  Hawk  which  I  have  heard  of  in  Pennsylvania  was  a 
female  captured  by  Dr.  W.  Van  Fleet,  of  Renovo,  in  January,  1875,  near  Watson - 
town,  Northumberland  county. 


Buteo  lineatus  (GMBL.). 

Red-shouldered  Hawk ;  Winter  Falcon. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Total  length :  Female,  21  to  23  inches ;  extent  about  44  inches ;  wing  14 ;  tail  9 
inches.  Male,  18  to  20  inches  ;  extent  about  40 ;  wing,  12  ;  tail,  8  inches. 

Adult. — Shoulders  rich  reddish-brown,  rest  of  upper  parts  blackish,  spotted  with 
reddish-brown,  white  and  dusky ;  primaries  blackish  above  and  spotted  with  white  ; 
tail  with  three  or  four  broad  black  bars,  between  which  are  narrow  white  bands,  tip 
of  tail  whitish  ;  under  parts  reddish-brown  more  or  less  streaked  with  dusky  and 
barred  with  white. 

Young.—  The  upper  parts  brownish  varied  with  rusty  and  whitish.  The  shoulders 
in  many  specimens  show  considerable  red ;  tail  brownish  with  several  small  blackish 
bars,  lower  parts  white  and  yellowish-white,  with  stripes  and  large  oblong  spots  of 
brown. 

Habitat.—  Eastern  North  America,  west  to  Texas  and  the  plains,  south  to  the  Gulf 
coast  and  Mexico. 

During  the  winter  these  hawks  frequent  principally  the  large  water 
courses,  meadow-lands,  and  the  vicinity  of  ponds,  and  not  unfrequently 
an  individual  of  this  species  can  be  observed  on  its  perch  overlooking1  a 
spring-head.  When  the  streams  and  meadows  are  frozen  I  have  noticed 
that  they  especially  resort  to  such  localities  as  last  named.  When  dis- 
turbed from  its  perch  it  utters,  in  a  plaintive  and  impatient  voice,  the 
note,  keeo,  keeo.  Its  flight,  generally  short,  is  graceful  and  very  owl- 
like.  This  hawk,  like  its  relative,  the  Bed-tail,  may  be  observed  sit- 
ting by  the  hour  on  some  favorite  tree  or  stake  adjacent  to  swampy 
9  BIRDS. 


130  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

or  boggy  ground,  watching  for  small  quadrupeds  and  batrachians,  which 
constitute  its  principal  fare. 

Like  other  birds  of  this  genus,  the  Bed-shouldered  Hawk  nests  in 
trees,  usually  in  April  and  May  in  this  locality.  The  eggs,  two  to  four 
in  number,  are  very  similar  to  those  of  the  Bed-tail,  but  smaller.  Young 
birds,  which  are  known  to  many  as  Winter  Falcons,  are,  according  to 
my  experience,  much  more  frequently  met  with  than  full-plumaged 
adults.  Nuttall  remarks  that  this  hawk  lives  principally  on  frogs,  and 
probably  insects  and  cray-fish  in  the  winter.  Gentry  tells  us  that  the 
food  of  the  young  consists  of  fragments  of  quadrupeds,  besides  an  im- 
mense number  of  young  grasshoppers  and  beetles.  In  my  examinations 
of  fifty-seven  of  these  hawks  which  have  been  captured  in  Pennsylvania, 
forty-three  showed  field-mice,  some  few  other  small  quadrupeds,  grass- 
hoppers and  insects,  mostly  beetles ;  nine  revealed  frogs  and  insects ; 
two,  small  birds,  remains  of  small  mammals  and  a  few  beetles?  two, 
snakes  and  portions  of  frogs.  The  gizzard  of  one  bird  contained  a  few 
hairs  of  a  field-mouse  and  some  long  black  hair  which  appeared  very 
much  like  that  of  a  skunk.  The  bird  on  dissection  gave  a  very  decided 
odor  of  skunk.  In  two  of  these  hawks,  shot  in  Florida,  I  found  in  one 
portions  of  a  small  catfish,  and  in  the  other  remains  of  a  small  mammal 
and  some  few  coleopterous  insects  (beetles). 


Buteo  latissimus  (WiLS.). 

Broad-winged  Hawk. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  16,  Fig.  1). 

Length  of  female  about  17  ;  extent  about  36 ;  tail  about  1\  inches. 

Adult.— Upper  parts  umber-brown,  and  many  feathers  edged  with  rusty  or 
whitish ;  tail  crossed  by  three  black  and  two  white  bands,  and  narrow  white  tip, 
lower  parts  white  or  yellowish  white,  variously  streaked  and  spotted  with  rusty. 
Young  are  duller,  showy  dark  cheek  patches  ;  tajl,  grayish-brown,  with  whitish 
tips  and  crossed  with  five  or  six  indistinct  dusky  bands;  lower  parts  similar  to 
adult  but  paler  and  spotted  or  streaked  with  black  and  dusky. 

Habitat. — Eastern  North  America,  from  New  Brunswick  and  the  Saskatchewan 
region  to  Texas  and  Mexico,  and  thence  southward  to  Central  America,  northern 
South  America,  and  the  West  Indies. 

Of  the  genus  Buteo,  in  this  section,  the  Broad-winged  is  the  least 
abundant.  It  is  a  native  and  resident.  The  movements  in  the  air  of 
this  hawk  are  easy  and  beautifully  graceful.  When  in  quest  of  food,  its 
flight  is  in  circles.  At  times,  when  circling,  like  the  Sparrow  Hawk,  it 
will  stand  for  an  instant  beating  the  air,  and  then  descend  with  great 
velocity  upon  its  prey,  which  it  secures,  not  in  its  descent,  but  as  it  is 
on  the  rise.  I  have  on  more  than  one  occasion  witnessed  this  species 


Plate  31. 


1.  American  Goldfinch. 
2.  Pine  Finch.    3.  Fox  Sparrow. 

Males. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  131 

take  aliment  in  the  way  described.  I  incorporate  it,  notwithstanding 
that  it  disagrees  with  certain  good  authority. 

Nest-building-  takes  place  from  the  first  to  the  middle  of  May,  and  the 
four  nests  which  I  have  found  have  all  been  located  in  high  trees ;  three 
in  hickory  trees,  the  other  in  an  oak.  All  of  these  nests  were  over  fifty 
or  sixty  feet  from  the  ground.  The  nest  is  very  similar  to  that  of  the 
Cooper's  Hawk ;  it  is  made  of  sticks,  twigs,  leaves  and  rootlets,  lined 
with  feathers ;  one  I  found  lined  with  bark.  The  complement  of  eggs 
is  usually  four,  although  three  sometimes  is  the  full  set.  The  eggs  are 
somewhat  larger  than  those  of  the  Cooper's  Hawk,  with  a  dull  white, 
grayish  ground  color,  with  brownish  red  spots,  which  vary  in  size  from 
specks  to  large  patches,  frequently  confluent. 

This  hawk  is  generally  easily  captured,  appearing  quite  tame  and  un- 
suspicious. I  have  always  found  it  to  be  cowardly,  and  to  evince  no 
disposition  to  repel  an  invasion  of  its  nest. 

It  would  seem,  however,  that  the  disposition  of  this  bird,  under  cer- 
tain circumstances,  is  very  variable.  Mr.  A.  G.t  Boardman,  of  Maine, 
who  has  found  several  nests,  and  secured  the  eggs,  finds  it  to  be  cour- 
ageous and  spirited.  A  man  whom  he  had  employed  to  obtain  a  nest, 
was  attacked  with  great  fury,  while  ascending  the  tree ;  his  cap  was 
torn  from  his  head,  and  he  would  have  been  seriously  injured  if  the  bird 
had  not  been  shot.  Another  instance  is  mentioned  by  Dr.  Wood,  where 
this  hawk  attacked  a  boy  climbing  to  her  nest,  fastened  her  talons  in 
his  arm,  and  could  not  be  removed  until  beaten  off  and  killed  with  a  club. 

In  speaking  of  this  bird,  Dr.  Wood  says :  "  Seldom,  if  ever,  does  it 
seize  its  prey  on  the  wing,  but  secures  it  mostly  on  the  ground,  subsist- 
ing on  frogs,  snakes,  mice  and  small  birds,  devouring  the  latter  without 
removing  the  feathers.  This  hawk  in  its  habits  is  not  as  neat  in  pre- 
paring its  food  as  most  of  its  genus ;  holding  its  prey  with  both  feet,  it 
tears  and  eats  without  much  regard  to  cleanliness  or  feathers." 

In  twelve  specimens  examined  by  myself,  four  revealed  mice ;  three, 
small  birds;  four,  frogs;  one,  killed  the  22d  of  May,  1882,  was  gorged 
with  cray -fish,  with  which  were  traces  of  coleopterous  insects  (beetles). 


GENUS  ARCHIBUTEO  BREHM. 
Archibuteo  lagopus  sancti-johannis  (GMEL.). 

American  Rough-legged  Hawk ;  Black  Hawk. 

DESCRIPTION. 

" Adult  male  and  female  :  Too  variable  in  plumage  to  be  concisely  described.  In 
general,  the  whole  plumage  with  dark  brown  or  blackish  and  light  brown,  gray,  or 
whitish,  the  lighter  colors  edging  or  barring  the  individual  feathers;  tendency  to 
excess  of  the  whitish  on  the  head,  and  to  the  formation  of  a  dark  abdominal  zone  or 
area  which  may  or  may  not  include  the  tibiae  ;  usually  a  blackish  anteorbital  and 


132  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


maxillary  area.  Lining  of  wings  extensively  blackish.  Tail  usually  wiiite  from 
the  base  for  some  distance,  then  with  dark  and  light  barring.  The  inner  webs  of  the 
flight  feathers  extensively  white  from  the  base,  usually  with  little,  if  any,  of  the 
dark  barring  so  prevalent  among  buteonine  hawks.  From  such  a  light  and  varie- 
gated plumage  as  this,  the  bird  varies  to  more  or  less  nearly  uniform  blackish,  in 
which  case  the  tail  is  usually  barred  several  times  with  white.  *  *  Length  of  a 
female,  22.00;  extent,  54.00;  wing,  17.50;  tail,  9.00;  iris  light  brown;  bill  mostly 
blackish-blue,  cere  pale  greenish-yellow,  feet  dull  yellow,  claws  blue-black.  This 
is  about  an  average  size ;  the  male  averages  smaller."— Cone's  Key. 

Habitat.— Whole  of  North  America  north  of  Mexico,  breeding  north  of  the  United 
States. 

In  any  plumage  this  bird  can  easily  be  distinguished  from  other  of 
our  hawks  by  the  tarsus,  which  is  thickly  feathered  in  front  to  the  toes. 
I  have  found  the  Rough-legged  or  Black  Hawk  in  Pennsylvania  dnly  as 
a  winter  sojourner,  about  the  meadows  and  grass  fields  along  or  near 
large  streams.  In  the  winter  of  1879,  when  hunting  along  the  Brandy- 
wine  creek,  I  saw  seven  of  these  hawks  at  one  time,  perched  about  on 
trees  in  a  meadow  of  some  five  acres  in  extent.  In  this  locality  the 
species  is  usually  found  singly  or  in  pairs.  The  Eough-legs  generally 
migrate  northward  about  the  middle  of  March :  I  have,  however,  ob- 
served them  here  late  in  April.  "  Its  migrations  appear  to  be  quite 
regular  and  extensive — more  so,  perhaps,  than  is  generally  supposed — 
though  probably  it  does  not  differ  from  most  hawks  in  this  respect. 
Birds  of  this  family  must  follow  their  prey,  wherever  this  leads  them, 
and  only  a  few  of  the  more  powerful  species,  able  to  prey  upon  hares 
and  Ptarmigan,  pass  the  winter  in  our  highest  latitudes.  The  Rough- 
legged  is  a  rather  northerly  species,  rarely,  if  ever,  breeding  within  the 
limits  of  the  United  States,  and  becoming  rarer  towards  its  southern 
terminus." — Coues. 

I  desire  to  correct  here  an  error  which  I  am  confident  was  made  in 
the  first  issue  of  the  Birds  of  Penna.,  pp  92-93,  where  I  stated,  on  the 
authority  of  Mr.  Samuel  B.  Ladd,  of  West  Chester,  Pa.,  that  he  (Mr. 
Ladd)  had,  April  5,  1886,  found  a  nest  and  two  eggs  of  this  bird,  in  a 
thick  woods  at  Fite's  Eddy,  on  the  Susquehanna  river.  A  description 
of  the  nest  and  eggs  was  published  in  my  first  report,  as  given  to  me 
by  Mr.  Ladd,  but  I  have  since  learned  from  Mr.  Ladd  that  he  did  not 
secure  or  even  see  the  hawks,  hence  I  am  satisfied  that  this  "  record " 
was  without  doubt  based  on  erroneous  identification.  Dr.  C.  H.  Mer- 
riam,  Ornithologist,  United  States  Department  of  Agriculture,  Washing- 
ton, D.  C.,  informs  me  that  he  is  not  aware  of  a  single  authentic  record 
of  the  breeding  of  the  Rough-legged  Hawk  anywhere  within  the  limits 
of  the  United  States. 

"  It  is  a  sluggish  bird,  and  confines  itself  to  the  meadows  and  low 
grounds  bordering  the  rivers  and  salt  marshes  along  our  bays  and  inlets. 
In  such  places  you  may  see  it  perched  on  a  stake,  where  it  remains  for 
hours  at  a  time,  unless  some  wounded  bird  comes  in  sight,  when  it  sails 
after  it,  and  secures  it  without  manifesting-  much  swiftness  of  flight.  It 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  133 


feeds  principally  on  moles,  mice  and  other  small  quadrupeds,  and  never 
attacks  a  duck  on  the  wing,  although  now  and  then  it  pursues  a  wounded 
one.  When  not  alarmed  it  usually  flies  low  and  sedately,  and  does  not 
exhibit  any  of  the  courage  and  vigor  so  conspicuous  in  most  other  hawks, 
suffering  thousands  of  birds  to  pass  without  pursuing  them.  The 
greatest  feat  I  have  ever  seen  it  perform  was  scrambling  at  the  edge  of 
the  water  to  secure  a  lethargic  frog.  They  alight  on  trees  to  roost,  but 
appear  so  hungry  or  indolent  at  all  times  that  they  seldom  retire  to  rest 
until  after  dusk.  Their  large  eyes,  indeed,  seem  to  indicate  their  pos- 
session of  the  faculty  of  seeing  at  that  late  hour.  I  have  frequently  put 
up  one  that  seemed  watching  for  food  at  the  edge  of  a  ditch  long  after 
sunset.  Whenever  an  opportunity  offers  they  eat  to  excess,  and,  like 
the  Turkey  Buzzards  and  Carrion  Crows,  disgorge  their  food,  to  enable 
themselves  to  fly  off.  The  species  is  more  nocturnal  in  its  habits  than 
any  other  hawk  found  in  the  United  States.  The  number  of  meadow 
mice  which  this  species  destroys  ought,  one  might  think,  to  secure  it 
the  protection  of  every  husbandman." — Audubon. 

In  the  stomachs  of  eleven  of  these  hawks,  which  I  have  examined, 
were  found  only  field  mice. 


GENUS  AQUILA  BRISSON. 
Aquila  chrysaetos  (LiNN.). 

Golden  Eagle. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Tarsi  densely  feathered  all  round  to  base  of  yellow  toes.  Length  about  3  feet ; 
extent  6|  to  1\  feet. 

Adult.—  General  color  dark  brown  ;  the  lengthened,  pointed  feathers  of  hind-neck 
golden  brown  ;  feathers  of  tarsi  pale  yellowish-brown  ;  tail  blackish  and  grayish. 

Young. — Basal  two-thirds  of  tail  white,  with  a  blackish  terminal  band ;  lower 
parts  much  lighter  than  adult. 

Habitat. — North  America  south  to  Mexico,  and  northern  parts  of  the  Old  World. 

This  large  bird  occurs  in  Pennsylvania  as  an  occasional  winter  visi- 
tant. The  only  species  with  which  it  is  sometimes  confounded  is  the 
Bald  or  White-headed  Eagle  in  immature  plumage.  The  two  species 
can  always  be  distinguished  at  a  single  glance,  if  you  remember  that 
the  Golden  Eagle  has  the  tarsus  densely  feathered  to  the  toes,  and  the 
Bald  Eagle  has  a  bare  tarsus.  One  of  the  largest  Golden  Eagles  I  ever 
saw  was  captured  in  December,  1889,  by  a  hunter,  in  Cameron  county. 
This  bird,  which  was  handsomely  mounted  by  my  friend,  Mr.  M.  M. 
Larrabee,  of  Emporium,  weighed,  Mr.  Larrabee  informed  me,  twenty- 
five  pounds.  This  bird  breeds  in  high  mountainous  regions  and  the 
Arctic  countries. 

The  following  mention  of  the  peculiarities  of  the  Golden  Eagle  in 
captivity  I  gleaned  from  conversation  with  Mr.  B.  M.  Everhart,  who  for 


134  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


several  years  kept  one  in  his  yard.  This  bird,  in  consequence  of  a  grin- 
shot  wound  in  the  wing,  was  unable  to  fly  off.  All  the  yard  situated  to 
the  north  and  east  of  the  house  was  known  as  Nero's  (bird's  name)  do- 
main. Along-  the  walk  leading  to  my  office  was  his  perch,  a  dead  tree 
stump  some  eight  feet  high.  When  satiated  with  food  he  would  sit 
there  for  hours  at  a  time.  If  at  any  time  during  the  day  a  cat  or  do- 
mestic fowl  happened  to  enter  his  ground,  it  had  to  make  a  speedy 
departure  or  be  killed.  The  latter  was  mostly  the  case,  for  Nero  seldom 
"  went  for "  anything  without  his  capturing  it.  When  I  neglected  to 
give  him  his  daily  allowance  (two  pounds  meat),  as  was  sometimes  the  case, 
he  wandered  about  the  yard  uttering  a  ventriloquial,  gutteral  sound, 
which  had  the  effect  of  bringing  around  him  birds  and  chickens.  Occa- 
sionally the  former,  and  invariably  the  latter,  would  be  killed.  Towards 
people  other  than  myself  he  displayed  great  animosity,  this  being  par- 
ticularly the  case  with  children  and  timorous  individuals.  One  day 
Joshua  Hoopes,  a  school  teacher  at  that  time,  brought  a  party  of  his 
boys  to  see  the  bird,  and  I  noticed  one  of  their  number,  a  puny  and 
delicate  lad,  the  eagle  continually  eyed  and  several  times  endeavored  to 
make  at  him.  Towards  a  female  domestic,  who  had  annoyed  him  by 
throwing  water  on  him  and  poking  at  him  with  a  stick,  he  showed  great 
antipathy ;  we  were  eventually  obliged,  for  her  personal  safety  and  our 
own  convenience,  to  discharge  the  girl,  as  she  could  not  go  into  the 
yard  without  being  attacked.  An  Irishman  one  day  slyly  entered  the 
yard,  but  in  crossing  Nero's  province  he  was  set  upon  by  the  bird.  In 
the  fleshy  part  of  the  man's  thigh  he  imbedded  his  talons,  and  it  was 
with  considerable  difficulty  his  hold  was  loosened.  Erin's  son  declared 
that  "  Niver  before  in  his  howl  life  had  he  seed  sich  a  divil,"  and  that 
nothing  short  of  the  eagle's  life  could  appease  for  his  injuries.  Exami- 
nation showed  that  although  there  were  ugly  flesh  wounds,  nothing  of  a 
serious  nature  would  follow.  This  information  being  imparted,  and  a 
two  dollar  bill  tendered  to  the  Irishman,  his  sufferings  were  much  re- 
lieved. He  stated  that  although  he  looked  upon  the  "  critter"  as  a  "  bold, 
bad  burd,"  still  he  deemed  him  a  fit  subject  to  "kape  frum  "  any  intrusion 
in  the  back  yard,  and  that  in  the  future,  whenever  he  had  any  business 
with  Bridget,  he  would  enter  the  front  gate  and  make  known  his  wants 
at  the  front  door.  The  strongest  and  largest  torn  cat  he  could  manage 
with  ease.  When  anyone  had  a  specially  objectionable  cat  which  they 
wanted  disposed  of,  they  would  bag  it  up  and  bring  it  to  the  eagle.  As 
soon  as  he  saw  the  bag — now  the  bird,  which  an  instant  before  sat 
moping,  ruffed-feathered  and  seemingly  half  dead,  suddenly,  as  if  by 
magic,  changed,  as  it  were,  into  a  new  being;  body  erect,  feathers  close 
to  the  body,  tail  expanded,  the  sunken  eyes  with  ten-fold  increased  lustre, 
followed  with  argus  gaze  every  motion  of  the  bag  and  occupant ;  soon 
as  grimalkin  was  liberated  the  eagle  swooped  down  and  grasped  it.  If 
the  cat  was  of  ordinary  size,  Nero  displayed  little  concern  in  dis- 


Plate  32. 


1.  Vesper  Sparrow. 
3.  Yellow-winged  Sparrow.    2,  Meld  Sparrow, 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  135 


patching  it ;  but  if  it  was  a  Thomas  feline,  of  huge  dimensions,  all  the 
powers  of  the  bird  were  brought  into  requisition.  Then  the  true  na- 
ture of  the  eagle  was  seen.  The  eyes,  before  bright,  now  shone  like 
balls  of  fire,  the  crest  feathers  standing  up ;  his  voice,  before  hushed, 
now  added  discord  to  the  dying  yells  of  his  struggling  victim,  so  inex- 
tricably fixed  in  his  relentless  talons.  He  could  kill  a  cat  in  from  two 
to  five  minutes.  Commonly,  the  eagle  would  grasp  the  cat  around  the 
small  of  the  back  with  one  foot,  and  with  the  other  he  encircled  the  neck, 
thus  retaining  his  hold  until  the  animal  had  ceased  its  struggles,  which 
were  soon  over,  as  they  were  greatly  augmented  by  fright  and  excessive 
violence  of  action.  When  the  cat  became  quiet  the  eagle  would  raise  his 
wings,  which  he  had  allowed  to  drop,  draw  his  body  up  as  high  as  pos- 
sible from  his  prey,  and  proceed  leisurely  to  tear  off  the  skin  from  his 
captive's  back  and  side,  exposing  the  muscles  and  viscera,  which  he  ate. 
"Young  fawns,  raccoons,  hares,  wild  turkeys  and  other  large  birds  are 
their  usual  food ;  and  they  devour  putrid  flesh  only  when  hard  pressed 
by  hunger,  none  alighting  on  carrion  at  any  other  time." — Audubon. 


GENUS  HALI-ffiETUS  SAVIQITF. 
Halieeetus  leucocephalus  (LiNN.). 

Bald  Eagle. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  84). 

Tarsi  feathered  only  about  half  way  down. 

Male.—  Length  about  3  feet;  extent  of  wings  about?  feet.  Female  larger,  meas- 
uring sometimes  8  feet  in  extent. 

Adult. — Head,  neck,  tail  and  upper  coverts  of  latter,  white ;  rest  of  plumage  dusky- 
brown  ;  bill,  feet  and  eyes  yellow. 

Young.— Entire  plumage  dark-brown  ;  some  are  grayish-brown,  and  tail  more  or 
less  spotted  with  white  ;  bill  dark-colored  ;  eyes  brown. 

Habitat.— North  America  at  large,  south  to  Mexico. 

The  name  "Bald,"  which  is  given  to  this  species  is  not  applied  be- 
cause the  head  is  bare,  but  because  the  feathers  of  the  neck  and  head  in 
the  adults  are  pure  white.  In  Pennsylvania,  as  well  as  throughout  the 
United  States,  we  have  but  two  species  of  eagles.  The  "  Black,"  "  Gray" 
and  "Washington"  Eagles  are  all  young  of  the  Bald  Eagle.  Three 
years,  it  is  stated,  are  required  before  this  species  assumes  the  adult 
plumage.  The  Bald  Eagle  is  found  in  Pennsylvania  at  all  seasons  of 
the  year.  A  few  of  these  birds  annually  rear  their  young  along  the 
Susquehanna  river,  and  also  in  a  few  other  localities  in  this  state.  The 
nest,  a  bulky  affair,  built  usually  on  a  large  tree,  mostly  near  the  water, 
is  said  to  be  about  five  or  six  feet  in  diameter.  It  is  made  up  chiefly  of 
large  sticks,  lined  inside  with  grasses,  leaves,  etc.  The  eggs  commonly 
2— rarely  3— are  white  and  measure  about  3  by  2J  inches.  A  favorite 
article  of  food  with  this  bird  is  fish,  which  he  obtains,  chiefly,  by  strategy 


136  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


and  rapine.  The  Bald  Eagle  is  quite  plentiful  in  the  vicinity  of  large 
rivers,  where  the  Fish  Hawk  is  common ;  unlike  this  last  named  bird, 
however,  he  cannot  be  called  piscivorous,  as  he  subsists  largely  on  ducks, 
geese  and  other  aquatic  birds.  Referring  to  this  eagle,  Audubon  says : 
"No  sooner  does  the  Fish  Hawk  make  its  appearance  along  our  Atlantic 
shores,  or  ascend  our  numerous  and  large  rivers,  than  the  eagle  follows 
it,  and,  like  a  selfish  oppressor,  robs  it  of  the  hard-earned  fruits  of  its 
labor.  Perched  on  some  tall  summit,  in  view  of  the  ocean,  or  of  some 
water-course,  he  watches  every  motion  of  the  Fish  Hawk  while  on  wing. 
When  the  latter  rises  from  the  water,  with  a  fish  in  its  grasp,  forth 
rushes  the  eagle  in  pursuit.  He  mounts  above  the  Fish  Hawk,  and 
threatens  it  by  actions  well  understood,  when  the  latter,  fearing  perhaps 
that  its  life  is  in  danger,  drops  its  prey.  In  an  instant,  the  eagle,  accu- 
rately estimating  the  rapid  descent  of  the  fish,  closes  his, wings,  follows 
it  with  the  swiftness  of  thought,  and  the  next  moment  grasps  it.  *  * 
This  bird  now  and  then  procures  fish  for  himself  by  pursuing  them  in 
the  shallows  of  small  creeks.  I  have  witnessed  several  instances  of  this 
in  the  Perkiomen  creek  in  Pennsylvania,  where,  in  this  manner,  I  saw 
one  of  them  secure  a  number  of  Red  fins,  by  wading  briskly  through  the 
water,  and  striking  at  them  with  his  bill.  I  have  also  observed  a  pair 
scrambling  over  the  ice  of  frozen  pond  to  get  at  some  fish  below,  but 
without  success.  It  does  not  confine  itself  to  these  kinds  of  food,  but 
greedily  devours  young  pigs,  lambs,  fawns,  poultry  and  the  putrid  flesh 
of  carcasses  of  every  description,  driving  off  the  vultures  and  Carrion 
Crows,  or  the  dogs,  and  keeping  a  whole  party  at  defiance  until  it  is 
satiated."  Even  man  is  not  exempt  from  the  attacks  of  these  predacious 
birds.  I  have  repeatedly  seen  in  newspapers,  accounts  of  combats  between 
men  and  eagles ;  frequently  the  bird  would  be  the  aggressor.  While  it 
is  admitted  that  these  reports  are  largely  due  to  the  imaginative  reporter, 
it  is  believed  that  such  occurrences  do  occasionally  take  place.  Verita- 
ble instances  are  related  of  their  carrying  off  infants.  According  to 
Wilson,  "  an  attempt  of  this  kind  was  made  upon  a  child  lying  by  its 
mother,  as  she  was  weeding  a  garden,  at  Egg  Harbor,  New  Jersey,  but 
the  garment  seized  upon  by  the  eagle  giving  way  at  the  instant  of  the 
attempt,  the  child's  life  was  spared."  Nuttall  speaks  of  an  instance  said 
to  have  happened  at  Petersburg,  Ga.,  near  the  Savannah  river,  "  where 
an  infant,  sleeping  in  the  shade  near  the  house,  was  seized  and  carried 
off  to  the  eyry,  near  the  edge  of  a  swamp,  Jive  miles  distant,  and  when 
found,  almost  immediately,  the  child  was  dead." 


Plate  33. 


1,  2.  English  Sparrow.       3,  4.  Snow-Bird. 

Male  and  Female.  Female  and  Male. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  137 


SUBFAMILY  FALCONIN-flJ.  FALCONS. 

GENUS  FALCO*  LINN^US. 
Falco  peregrinus  anatum  (BONAP.). 

Duck  Hawk ;  Great-footed  Hawk. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  85). 

Size  as  well  as  colors  variable.  A  female  before  me  is  20  inches  long,  and  meas- 
ures from  tip  to  tip  46  inches ;  tail  8.  Male  smaller.  Above  blackish-brown  or 
slaty-black,  and  many  feathers  with  paler  edgings  ;  chin,  throat,  fore  part  of  neck 
and  upper  breast  yellowish  white,  and  sometimes  nearly  immaculate,  but  usually 
more  or  less  streaked  or  spotted  ;  showy  black  ear  patches  ;  frontal  feathers  whitish, 
rest  of  under  parts  barred  and  streaked  with  blackish  and  lighter  colors;  young 
birds  are  more  brown,  and  lower  parts  are  much  more  spotted  with  dark  and  less 
barred.  Bill  bluish-black,  except  about  base,  like  cere  is  yellowish  ;  legs  yellow  ;  iris 
brown. 

Habitat. — North  America  at  large. 

This  bold  and  predatory  hawk,  the  largest  of  the  typical  falcons 
found  in  this  region,  retires,  usually,  during  the  summer  time  to  the 
mountainous  districts,  generally  in  the  neighborhood  of  large  streams, 
and  in  the  winter  season  (fall,  winter  and  early  spring)  it  is  found  as  an 
irregular  visitor  in  nearly  all  sections  of  our  commonwealth.  The  Duck 
Hawk  breeds  in  several  localities  in  Pennsylvania,  and  in  some  parts  of 
the  state  it  is  reported  to  be  quite  common.  The  late  Judge  Libhart, 
of  Lancaster  county,  twelve  or  fifteen  years  ago  observed  it  as  a  "  resi- 
dent, common  on  the  Susquehanna."  Dr.  Treichler,  Mr.  Roddy  and 
other  more  recent  observers,  report  the  Duck  Hawk  in  Lancaster  county 
as  a  rather  rare  visitor,  commonly  seen  in  winter.  The  following 
gentlemen  report  this  species  as  a  native:  Hon.  Gerard  C.  Brown, 
Casper  Loucks  and  George  Miller,  all  of  York  county,  state  that  it  is  a 
regular  breeder  oil  the  high  cliffs  about  the  Susquehanna.  Concerning 
the  bird  Mr.  George  Miller  furnishes  the  following  notes :  "  Found  nest 
of  Duck  Hawk  April  7, 1880.  It  contained  four  eggs  slightly  incubated ; 
hawk  on  nest  when  discovered,  along  Susquehanna  river  near  mouth  of 
Codorus  creek.  Nest  about  one-third  down  from  top  of  a  high  cliff  on 
shelf  with  overhanging  rock ;  nest  made  of  rocky  debris  found  lying 
about.  Remains  of  birds,  such  as  tame  pigeons,  flickers,  blackbirds, 
etc.,  upon  which  the  Duck  Hawks  had  evidently  been  feeding,  were  found 

*  Birds  of  this  genus  can  easily  be  distinguished  from  all  others  of  the  family  by  the  toothed  beak.  The 
Sparrow  Hawk,  like  the  members  of  the  genera  Buteo  and  Archibuteo.  merits  protection,  as  it  feeds  mainly 
on  destructive  insects  and  rodents,  and  also  destroying  many  English  Sparrows.  The  Pigeon  and  Duck 
Hawks  are  not  classed  with  the  beneficial  raptores;  they  seldom  prey  on  insects  or  mice,  but  destroy 
numerous  kinds  of  birds.  The  Duck  Hawk  is  particularly  bold  and  predacious;  he  devours  poultry,  wild 
ducks  and  many  other  kinds  of  game,  birds,  etc.  The  wings  are  long  and  pointed;  the  flight  is  vigorous 
and  rapid;  bill  short,  stout  and  wide  at  base  with  a  prominent  tooth  and  notch  near  the  end.  The  upper 
mandible  is  strongly  curved  to  the  sharp-pointed  end;  nostrils  circular,  with  prominent  central  tubercle; 
tarsi  stout,  short  and  feathered  only  slightly  in  front;  middle  toe  long;  claws  much  curved,  long  and  very 
sharp. 


138  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


plentifully  scattered  over  the  rocks.  I  shot  the  male  soon  after  collect- 
ing- the  eggs,  and  have  it  now  in  my  collection  of  birds."  Dr.  W.  L. 
Hartman,  of  Luzerne  county,  says:  "The  Great-footed  or  Duck  Hawk 
breeds  regularly  in  this  locality  (Pittston)  in  an  almost  inaccessible  ledge 
of  rocks."  Mr.  Thomas  S.  Gillin,  Ambler,  Montgomery  county,  says : 
"I  have  had  many  opportunities  of  observing-  them,  having-  shot  twelve 
inside  of  a  radius  of  five  miles  of  this  place ;  in  fact  see  them  regularly, 
and  know  of  two  nesting  places  in  this  state."  Dr.  T.  Z.  Hazzard, 
Allegheny  county ;  Mr.  O.  B.  Hark,  Northampton  county,  and  W.  P. 
Bolton,  Montgomery  county,  also  mention  it  as  a  breeder.  Dr.  John  W. 
Detwiller  and  Mr.  Samuel  Mack,  both  residents  of  Bethlehem,  have,  on 
different  occasions,  found  Duck  Hawks'  nests.  With  regard  to  their 
breeding  in  this  state,  Dr.  Detwiller  (letter  November  2,  1889)  says : 
"  Duck  Hawk,  secured  set  of  four  eggs  from  the  cliffs  of  *  Camel's 
Ledge,'  Pittson,  1880 ;  1886  secured  two  sets  of  four  eggs  in  each  set, 
one  at  Skinner's  Eddy  and  the  other  at '  Buttermilk  Falls,'  Susquehanna 
river  (East  branch).  1887  secured  a  set  of  four  eggs,  and  another  of 
three,  at  '  The  Narrows,'  Delaware  river.  Month  of  incubation,  April." 

Reports  which  I  have  received  from  other  naturalists  and  collectors, 
show  that  the  Duck  Hawk  has  been  observed  in  other  parts  of  the  state 
as  a  straggler  in  the  spring  and  fall,  or  as  a  rather  rare  and  irregular 
winter  visitor.  I  have  never  found  the  nest  of  this  bird.  Dr.  Coues 
states  that  it  "  breed  as  far  south  as  Virginia  at  least ;  eggs,  2-5,  oftener 
3-4,  2.10  to  2.35X1.60  to  1.75,  averaging  about  2.25X1.65;  white  or 
whitish,  spotted,  blotched,  wreathed,  clouded,  etc.,  with  the  reddish- 
browns,  from  chocolate  or  even  purplish  to  the  ochres." — Key.  N.  A 
Birds. 

"  He  pursues  the  smaller  ducks,  water-hens,  and  other  swimming  birds ; 
and,  if  they  are  not  quick  in  diving  seizes  them,  and  rises  with  them 
from  the  water.  I  have  seen  this  hawk  come  at  the  report  of  a  gun,  and 
carry  off  a  teal,  not  thirty  steps  distant  from  the  sportsman  who  had  killed 
it,  with  a  daring  assurance  as  surprising  as  unexpected.  This  conduct 
has  been  observed  by  many  individuals,  and  is  a  characteristic  trait  of 
this  species.  The  largest  bird  that  I  have  seen  this  hawk  attack  and 
grapple  with  on  the  wing  is  the  Mallard. 

"The  Great-footed  Hawk  does  not,  however,  content  himself  with 
water-fowl.  He  is  generally  seen  following  the  flocks  of  pigeons,  and 
even  blackbirds,  causing  great  terror  in  their  ranks,  and  forcing  them 
to  perform  aerial  evolutions  to  escape  the  grasp  of  his  dreaded  talons. 
For  several  days  I  watched  one  of  them  that  had  taken  a  particular 
fancy  to  some  tame  pigeons,  to  secure  which,  it  went  so  far  as  to  enter 
their  house  at  one  of  the  holes,  seize  a  bird,  and  issue  by  another  hole 
in  an  instant,  causing  such  terror  among  the  rest  as  to  render  me  fear- 
ful that  they  would  abandon  the  place.  However,  I  fortunately  shot 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  139 


the  depredator.     They  occasionally  feed  on  dead  fish  that  have  floated 
to  the  shores  or  sand-bars." — Audubon. 

I  have  examined  but  three  of  these  hawks ;  the  stomachs  of  two  were 
destitute  of  food  materials,  the  other  contained  a  few  feathers  of  a  do- 
mestic pigeon. 

Falco  columbarius  LINN. 

Pigeon  Hawk. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  85). 

Adult  Male.— Entire  upper  parts  bluish-slate  color,  every  feather  with  a  black 
longitudinal  line  ;  forehead  and  throat  white  ;  other  under  parts  pale  yellowish  or 
reddish-white ;  every  feather  with  a  longitudinal  line  of  brownish-black  ;  tibiae  light 
ferruginous,  with  lines  of  black ;  quills  black,  tipped  with  ashy-white ;  tail  light 
bluish-ashy,  tipped  with  a  white  and  with  a  wide  subterminal  band  of  black,  and 
with  several  other  transverse  narrower  bands  of  black  ;  inner  webs  nearly  white ; 
cere  and  legs  yellow  ;  bill  blue  ;  iris  brown. 

Younger.— Entire  upper  plumage  dusky-brown,  quite  light  in  some  specimens, 
and  with  a  tinge  of  ashy  ;  head  above,  with  narrow  stripes  of  dark  brown  and  fer- 
ruginous, and  in  some  specimens  many  irregular  spots  and  edgings  of  the  latter 
color  on  the  other  upper  parts  ;  forehead  and  entire  under  parts  dull-white,  the  latter 
with  longitudinal  stripes  of  light-brown  ;  sides  and  flanks  light-brown,  with  pairs 
of  circular  spots  of  white  ;  tibiae  dull  white,  with  dashes  of  brown  ;  tail  pale  brown, 
with  about  six  transverse  bands  of  white  ;  cere  and  legs  greenish-yellow. 

Young. — Upper  plumage  brownish-black,  white  of  the  forehead  and  under  parts 
more  deeply  tinged  with  reddish  yellow ;  dark  stripes  wider  than  in  preceding ; 
sides  and  flanks  with  wide  transverse  bands  of  brownish-black,  and  with  circular 
spots  of  yellowish-white  ;  quills  black  ;  tail  brownish-black,  tipped  with  white,  and 
with  about  four  bands  of  white  ;  cere  and  feet  greenish  yellow. 

Total  length,  female  12  to  14  inches  ;  wing  8  to  9  inches  ;  tail  5  to  5|  inches.  Male, 
total  length,  10  to  11  inches  ;  wing  7*  to  8  inches  ;  tail  5  inches.— Bairdjs  B.  B.  N.  A. 

Habitat. — The  whole  of  North  America,  south  to  the  West  Indies  and  northern 
South  America. 

This  little  falcon,  a  native  of  northern  latitudes,  occurs  in  Pennsylva- 
nia as  a  rather  rare  and  irregular  visitor  during  the  late  fall,  winter  and 
early  spring  months.  When  found  here  the  Pigeon  Hawk  is  usually 
seen  singly,  sometimes  a  pair  are  observed  together  searching  food. 
The  species  appears  to  be  oftener  met  with  in  the  mountainous  and 
wooded  districts  than  elsewhere  in  the  state.  In  the  few  examinations 
which  I  have  made  of  these  hawks,  only  the  remains  of  birds — common 
pigeons  and  sparrows — have  been  detected.  From  my  observations  in 
the  field,  as  well  as  dissections,  I  believe  the  Pigeon  Hawk  during  its 
residence  in  this  locality  preys  mainly  on  various  small  birds.  The 
following  is  taken  from  my  note-book  in  relation  to  a  pair  of  these 
hawks:  "Two  Pigeon  Hawks  during  the  late  fall  lurked  about  the 
southern  suburbs  of  the  borough  of  West  Chester,  preying  at  regular 
intervals  on  the  pigeons  of  a  blacksmith.  In  one  week  the  hawks  killed 
or  drove  away  fifty  of  these  birds.  The  hawks  would  enter  the  boxes 
and  take  from  them  the  pigeons." 


140  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


Falco  sparverius  LINN. 

American  Sparrow  Hawk. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  16;  Fig.  2,  female;  Fig.  3,  male). 

This  common  little  falcon  can  easily  be  recognized  by  comparison  with  figures  on 
plate. 

Length  10  to  12  inches  ;  extent  of  wings  18  to  23  inches. 
Habitat. — Whole  of  North  America,  south  to  northern  South  America. 

This  well-known  little  hawk  is  the  smallest  and  most  beautiful  of  the 
family  Falconidce.  It  is  a  resident,  but  is  more  numerous  during-  fall 
and  winter  than  at  other  seasons.  Unlike  other  of  our  native  hawks,  it 
sometimes  rears  two  broods  in  a  season.  The  Sparrow  Hawk  builds  no 
nest,  but  deposits  her  eggs — numbering-  from  five  to  seven,  rarely  the 
latter  number — in  hollow  trees,  selecting  usually  the  deserted  hole  of  a 
woodpecker.  The  eggs,  nearly  spherical,  measure  about  1.33  by  1.13 
inches,  and  are  of  a  whitish  or  pale  yellow  brown  color,  blotched  all  over 
with  dark  brown.  Oviposition  occurs  in  April.  Occasionally,  if  the 
eggs  are  taken,  the  bird  will  a  second  time  deposit  egg-s  in  the  same 
nest.  When  the  young  or  eggs  are  disturbed  the  parent  birds  will 
sometimes  defend  invasion  of  their  domicile  with  great  temerity.  Some 
few  years  ago  I  was  endeavoring  to  secure  the  young  from  a  nest  of  this 
species.  I  had  climbed  the  tree  to  the  aperture,  about  thirty -five  feet 
from  the  ground,  wherein  were  snugly  packed  five  young,  one  of  which 
I  removed,  when  both  old  birds  assailed  me.  They  several  times  struck 
my  head  and  arms  with  their  talons  and  wings.  So  persistent  were 
their  attacks  that  I,  desiring  to  obtain  the  young  alive,  directed  a  com- 
panion, who  stood  near  by,  to  shoot  both  birds.  I  have  repeatedly 
taken  the  eggs  and  young  of  this  species,  but  never,  only  in  the  above- 
cited  instance,  encountered  such  determined  opposition.  When  reared 
from  the  nest,  this  species  will  soon  become  attached  to  its  master.  I 
raised  two,  which  were  given  their  freedom.  Both  birds  would  come  at 
my  call  and  alight  on  my  outstretched  arm  or  shoulders,  anxiously  waiting 
for  a  grasshopper  or  piece  of  meat,  which  was  always  their  recompense. 
This  hawk  will  resort  for  several  consecutive  years  to  the  same  tree  for 
breeding  purposes.  From  Doctor  Wood's  "Birds  of  Connecticut"  the 
following  remarks,  with  regard  to  the  nesting  of  this  bird,  are  taken  • 

"  One  of  my  collectors  found  a  nest  of  four  eggs  in  the  top  of  a  stump, 
about  ten  feet  from  the  ground.  This  nest  was  composed  of  grass,  and 
was  discovered  by  the  grass  protruding  through  a  crack  in  the  stump. 
Whether  this  hawk  constructed  this  nest,  or  whether  it  had  been  made 
by  some  other  bird,  it  is  impossible  to  tell ;  but  if  this  hawk  constructs 
no  nest,  as  asserted  by  Doctor  Brewer  and  others,  it  must  have  obtained 
it  piratically,  as  the  nest  was  new.  In  another  instance,  which  occurred 
in  Granby,  Connecticut,  the  nest  was  known  to  have  been  obtained  in 
this  way :  A  farmer  made  a  dove-house  inside  of  his  barn,  with  holes 


Plate 


Cardinal  Grosbeak. 
1.  Male;  2.  Female. 


,  »  r 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  141 


through  the  sides  of  the  building  communicating  with  it.  A  pair  of 
doves  that  had  mated  there  were  attacked  and  killed  by  a  pair  of  Sparrow 
Hawks,  who  took  possession  of  their  nest,  laid  four  eggs,  and  com- 
menced incubating." 

Incubation,  which  lasts  for  about  a  period  of  from  twenty-one  to 
twenty -four  days,  is  engaged  in  by  both  birds,  and  while  one  is  sitting 
its  mate  supplies  it  with  food.  When  first  hatched  the  young  are  cov- 
ered with  a  white  down.  The  food  of  young,  while  under  parental  care, 
I  have  found  to  consist  chiefly  of  insects. 

H.  W.  Henshaw  says:  "Its  food  consists  chiefly  of  the  various  kinds 
of  coleopterous  insects  and  grasshoppers,  of  wfyich  it  destroys  multi- 
tudes ;  in  fact,  this  last  item  is  the  most  important  of  all,  and  where 
these  insects  are  abundant  I  have  never  seen  them  recourse  to  any  other 
kind  of  food." 

Allen,  in  his  "  Ornithological  Notes  on  the  Birds  of  the  Great  Salt 
Lake  Valley,"  says :  "  The  Sparrow  Hawk,  however,  was  by  far  the  most 
numerous  of  the  Falconidce ;  thirty  were  seen  in  the  air  at  one  time 
near  the  mouth  of  Weber  canon,  engaged  in  the  capture  of  the  hateful 
grasshoppers,  which  seems  at  this  season  to  form  the  principal  food  of 
this  and  other  birds."  Audubon  mentions  that  he  had  one  of  these 
birds  tamed.  It  was  allowed  its  liberty.  "  In  attempting  to  secure  a 
chicken  one  day,  the  old  hen  attacked  him  with  such  violence  as  to  cost 
him  his  life."  Doctor  Wood  says:  "When  they  cannot  readily  procure 
their  favorite  food,  mice  and  small  birds  are  greedily  devoured ;  and, 
according  to  a  writer  in  the  American  Naturalist,  they  are  not  wholly 
devoid  of  the  piratical  habits  of  the  Bald  Eagle.  'A  .tame  cat  was  cross- 
ing the  street  and  bearing  a  large  mouse  in  her  mouth;  a  Sparrow 
Hawk  came  flying  over,  and  seeing  the  mouse  in  her  mouth,  made  a 
sudden  swoop  and  tried  to  seize  it  with  its  talons,  but  did  not  succeed. 
The  hawk  continued  its  attempts  until  they  reached  the  opposite  side 
of  the  street,  when  the  cat  disappeared  under  the  sidewalk.'  If  it 
catches  a  mouse  that  proves  to  be  lousy  and  poor,  it  will  leave  it  and 
seek  another."  The  stomach  contents  of  sixty-five  of  this  species  which 
I  have  dissected  showed,  in  thirty-one,  principally  field-mice,  with  fre- 
quent traces  of  various  insects ;  twenty-three,  mainly  grasshoppers  and 
beetles ;  seven,  small  birds ;  two,  meadowlarks ;  one,  remains  of  mouse 
and  small  bird ;  one,  insects  and  small  bird. 


142  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


SUBFAMILY  PANDIONIN.33.     OSPREYS. 

GENUS  PANDION  SAVIGNY. 
Pandion  haliaetus  carolinensis  (GMEL.). 

American  Osprey  ;  Fish  Hawk . 

DESCRIPTION  {Plate  80). 

Wings  long  and  pointed ;  second  and  third  quills  longest.  Three  first  primaries 
emarginate  on  inner  webs ;  bill  stout  with  a  very  long  hook  and  sharp  end  ;  feathers 
oily  to  resist  water,  those  of  head  lengthened  and  pointed  ;  thighs  and  little  of  the 
front  parts  of  tarsi  are  covered  with  short  feathers  which  lie  close ;  legs,  tarsi, 
and  feet  very  strong  and  robust ;  claws  all  same  length,  very  large  and  sharp.  The 
tarsus  all  round  covered  with  rough  scales ;  toes  padded  below  and  covered  with 
numerous  hard-pointed  projections  to  aid  in  holding  their  slippery  prey. 

Adult.— Upper  parts  dark  brown  or  grayish-brown;  most  of  head,  neck  and 
under  parts  white  (chest  in  female,  and  sometimes  in  male,  is  spotted  with  brown, ) 
the  tail,  usually  paler  than  the  back,  is  tipped  with  white,  and  has  six  or  seven 
dusky  bars.  The  young,  very  similar  to  adults,  have  upper  parts  spotted  with  pale 
reddish-brown  or  white.  Iris  in  some  specimens  reddish,  but  mostly  yellow  ;  bill 
and  claws  blue-black ;  tarsi  and  toes  grayish-blue.  Length  (female)  about  25 
inches  ;  extent  about  52. 

Habitat — North  America,  from  Hudson's  bay  and  Alaska  south  to  the  West  Indies 
and  northern  South  America. 

The  Fish  Hawk,  although  most  numerous  about  the  sea  coast,  is  quite 
frequently  met  with  along  our  large  rivers.  This  bird  arrives  in  Penn- 
sylvania generally  about  the  last  week  in  March,  and  remains  some- 
times as  late  as  the  first  of  November.  Although  the  Fish  Hawk  com- 
monly rears  its  young  along  the  sea  coast,  it  is  frequently  found  breed- 
ing near  the  borders  of  large  rivers  or  in  the  vicinity  of  large  inland 
lakes.  The  nest,  a  particularly  bulky  structure  (from  four  to  eight  feet  in 
diameter),  composed  chiefly  of  sticks,  and  lined  with  sea-weeds,  grasses, 
etc.,  is  built  usually  on  a  large  tree,  near  the  water.  In  Florida  I  have 
found  eggs  and  young  of  this  bird  early  in  March.  The  Fish  Hawk 
breeds  in  Pennsylvania.  I  am  informed  that  about  eight  years  ago 
Messrs.  William  Ingram  and  Joseph  Price,  of  West  Chester,  Pa.,  dis- 
covered a  nest  and  young  of  the  Fish  Hawk  along  the  Brandywine 
creek,  in  the  vicinity  of  Chadd's  Ford,  Delaware  county.  The  eggs,  two 
or  three  in  number,  measure  about  2  J  inches  in  length  by  1}  inches  in 
width ;  they  are  yellowish-white,  thickly  covered  with  large  blotches  of 
different  shades  of  brown.  Although  it  is  asserted  by  certain  reputable 
writers  that  during  the  breeding  season  these  birds  subsist  in  part  on 
reptiles  and  batrachians,  I  believe  that  such  food  is  only  taken  when 
they  are  unable  to  secure  fish,  which  they  are  so  expert  in  catching.  In 
the  stomachs  of  eighteen  Fish  Hawks,  killed  in  Pennsylvania,  New  Jer- 
sey, Maryland  and  Florida,  I  found  only  the  remains  of  fishes. 

The  following  list  shows  that  the  osprey  breeds  more  or  less  regu 
larly  in  different  localities  in  Pennsylvania  in  the  vicinity  of  large 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


143 


streams.    No  person  other  than  those  named  below  make  any  mention 
of  this  species  in  the  reports  received  by  me  from  other  counties: 


COUNTY. 

OBSERVERS. 

REMARKS. 

Allegheny.     .  . 
Bradford,    .   .   . 
Berks  

Dr.  T.  Z.  Harzard,    .  . 
J.  L.  Camp  
D.  F.  Keller  
W    M   Swayne, 

Straggler. 
Breeds. 
Breeds. 
Rare  migrant  In  vicinity  of  Kennett  Square. 

Do.         ... 
Do  
Clinton  
Crawford.    .  .   . 
Daupbin,      .   .   . 
Erie  

Alfred  P.  Lee  
B.  H.  Warren  
Dr.  W.  Van  Fleet,     .  . 
H.  C.  Kirkpatrick.     .  . 
W.  W.  Stoey  
G.  B.  Sennett  

Breeds  within  a  few  miles  of  Oxford. 
Common  in  spring,  late  summer  and  fall;  never  found  nest. 
Migrant,  spring  and  fall. 
Rare  migrant. 
Breeds. 
Migrant. 

Lehlgh  
Luzerne  

J.  F.  Kocher  
Dr.  W.  L.  Hartman,    . 

Breeds. 
Migrant. 

Dr.  A.  C.  Treichler.     . 

Breeds  occasionally  along  Susquehanna. 

Do.            .  . 
Lackawanna, 
Do. 

W.  H.  Buller  
H.  W.  Williams,    .  . 
Geo.  P.  Friant,    .  .  . 
August  Kock  

Breeds  occasionally  along  Susquehanna. 
Rare  migrant. 
Straggler. 
Migrant. 

Mercer  

Montgomery, 
Do. 

S.  S.  Overmoyer.    .  . 
Thos.  S.  Gillln,   .  .  . 
W.  P.  Bolton  
O   B   Hark 

Rare  visitor;  shot  one  September  4.  1885. 
Migrant. 
Migrant;  probably  breeds. 
Migrant. 

Do.                -       . 
Perry  
Philadelphia, 
Do. 
Do. 
Do. 
Do.                   .   . 
Sullivan 

Dr.  J.  W.  Detwtller. 
H.  J.  Roddy  
Witmer  Stone,     .  .  . 
G.  S.  Morris  
II.  Jamison  
Jos.  P.  Ball  
Rev.  Jos.  Johnson,    . 
Otto  Behr       .      ... 

Have  found  it  breeding  in  Pennsylvania. 
Breeds. 
Occasional  migrant. 
Migrant. 
Occasional  migrant. 
Occasional  migrant. 
Occasional  migrant. 
Migrant. 

Susquehanna,   . 
Do. 
Washington, 
Do 

Dr.  H.  A.  Tingley,    . 
Geo.  B.  Perry.     .  .   . 
M.  Compton  
W    T    Warrick 

Breeds. 
Migrant. 
Straggler. 
Straggler. 

Do. 

Jas.  S.  Nease  
V.  A.  Beemer.     .  .  . 

Rare  visitor. 
Breeds  regularly. 

Wayne,     .... 
York 

N.  F.  Underwood,     . 
Geo.  Miller  

Migrant. 
Breeds  along  the  Susquehanna. 

Do 

Breeds  along  the  Susquehanna. 

Do  

Hon.  G.  C.  Brown,    .  . 

Breeds  along  the  Suaquehanna. 

SUBORDER  STKIGES.    OWLS. 

THE  OWLS. 

Ten  representatives  ot  the  families  Strigidce  and  Bubonidce  are  found  in  Pennsyl- 
vania. Some  are  common  residents  in  all  parts  of  the  state  ;  others  breed  in  boreal 
regions  and  are  found  with  us  as  irregular  or  accidental  winter  visitants.  The  little 
Screech  Owl,  dressed  in  his  coat  of  red,  or  gray,  or  a  mixture  of  both,  is  one  of  the 
most  common  and  best  known  birds  of  this  group.  He  is  found  in  cities  and  towns 
as  well  as  in  the  rural  districts ;  and  in  the  hollow  limbs  of  trees  in  old  apple  orchards 
he  delights  to  conceal  himself  in  daylight,  and  also  to  rear  his  family.  He  often  is 
found  about  barns  and  other  buildings,  where  he  goes  in  the  daytime  to  hide,  or 
frequently  at  night,  to  catch  mice,  one  of  his  main  articles  of  livelihood.  The  Great 
Horned  Owl  inhabits  the  woods,  but  on  the  approach  of  night  he  goes  out  in  quest  of 
food.  His  visits  to  the  poultry  yard  are  so  common  that  he,  also,  is  familiar  to  resi- 
dents of  the  country,  where  he  is  usually  known,  from  his  loud  cries,  as  "  Hoot 
Owl."  The  Barn  Owl,  a  southern  bird,  breeds  sparingly,  and  most  frequently  in 
the  southern  parts  of  the  commonwealth.  The  Snowy  Owl,  which  breeds  in  the 
Arctic  regions,  is  found  here  only  as  an  irregular  winter  sqjourner.  Some  persons, 
not  versed  in  ornithological  matters,  name  both  the  Snowy  Owl  (N.  nyctea)  and 
Barn  Owl  (S.  pratincola)  "  White  "  or  "  Snowy"  Owls.  Such  local  names,  used  to 
designate  the  Barn  Owl,  are  confusing  and  should  be  discarded.  Owls,  other  than  the 
Long  eared  and  Short-eared  species,  are  usually  observed  singly  ;  those  that  breed 
here,  of  course,  are  often,  during  the  breeding  period,  seen  in  pairs,  and  with  their 
young.  In  winter  Long-eared  and  Short-eared  Owls  are  found  generally  in  flocks. 


144  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


Long-eared  Owls  breed  in  many  localities,  in  fact  quite  generally,  throughout  the 
state,  and  owing  to  the  circumstance  that  sometimes  they  roost,  in  the  daytime,  in 
cedar  trees,  they  are  termed  by  many  "Cedar  "  Owls.  The  Short-eared  Owls  frequent 
meadows,  swamps  and  grassy  fields.  Hunters  who  most  frequently  come  across 
them  know  them  as  "  Marsh  "  or  "  Swamp  "  Owls.  The  Short-eared  owl  is  common 
in  winter,  and  is  said  to  breed  here  in  rare  instances.  The  Barred  Owl  is  a  resident 
and  breeds  generally  throughout  the  state  ;  it  is  most  numerous  in  the  mountainous 
and  wooded  districts.  In  different  parts  of  Wayne,  Susquehanna  and  Wyoming 
counties,  where  the  Barred  owl  is  common,  it  is  called  "  Rain  Owl."  To  distinguish 
an  owl  irom  a  hawk  remember  the  owl's  eyes  are  situated  in  the  front  of  the  head 
and  look  forward,  while  the  hawk's  eyes  are  directed  to  either  side.  The  extremely 
soft  and  downy  plumage  of  these  birds  is  such  that  their  flight  is  almost  noiseless. 
During  the  daylight  we  , usually,  find  them  concealed  in  hollow  trees,  or  dense  foli- 
age, preferably  cedar  thickets.  While  it  is  generally  an  accepted  fact  that  owls  are 
nocturnal  in  their  habits,  it  is  not  true  that  they  are  exclusively  so.  The  Short-eared 
and  Barred  Owls  are  of  a  decidedly  diurnal  nature  ;  and  in  cloudy  weather  or  in  early 
twilight  it  is  not  unusual  to  see  the  Great  Horned  Owl  sally  forth  in  quest  of  prey. 
Birds  of  this  suborder,  unlike  certain  other  species  of  the  Raptores,  never,  it  is 
stated,  unless  reduced  to  the  utmost  extremity,  feed  on  carrion,  but  subsist  on  such 
food  as  they  are  able  to  kill.  Their  dietary,  although  variable  with  locality  and  cir- 
cumstances, consists  mainly  of  small  quadrupeds  (principally  field  mice),  insects, 
chiefly  beetles  and  grasshoppers,  and  some  few  of  the  smaller  kinds  of  birds. 
"Many  species  are  capable  of  living  without  water  for  months  at  a  time,  though 
some  of  them  drink  it  readily  and  often  bathe  freely."  Benjamin  M.  Everhart,  the 
well-known  Pennsylvania  botanist,  had  in  captivity,  for  a  period  of  about  two  years, 
a  Great  Horned  Owl,  and  during  this  time  he  says  it  never  would  drink  water.  The 
owls,  like  many  other  birds  of  prey,  eject  from  the  mouth,  in  small  ball-like  masses, 
the  indigestible  portions  of  their  food,  such  as  hair,  bones,  etc.  These  little  balls  or 
pellets,  as  they  are  usually  called,  are  frequently  to  be  found  in  great  quantities 
about  localities  where  these  birds  resort  during  the  daytime.  The  eggs  are  white, 
nearly  round,  and  commonly  number  from  three  to  five;  deposited  generally  in 
hollow  trees  or  the  deserted  nests  of  hawks  and  crows.  Their  cries  are  loud  and 
dismal. 

The  general  form  of  Owls,  is  short  and  heavy ;  the  head  and  eyes  are  usually  very 
large ;  bill  very  much  like  a  hawk's,  but  never  toothed,  and  often  almost  hidden  by 
long  bristle-like  feathers ;  eyes  encircled  by  a  ring  of  radiating  bristly  feathers ; 
tarsi,  and  in  most  species  toes,  also  densely  feathered.  In  some  species  the  heads 
are  furnished  with  long  erectile  tufts  of  feathers,  which  are  commonly  called  horns; 
ears  in  some  species  remarkably  large. 


FAMILY  STRIGIDJE.     BARN  OWLS. 

GENUS  STRIX  LINN^US. 
Strix  pratincola  BONAP. 

American  Barn  Owl. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  17). 

Length  of  female  about  16  inches  ;  extent  of  wings  about  43  inches.  Male  rather 
smaller ;  no  ear  tufts ;  facial  disc  well  developed  but  not  circular ;  eyes  blackish- 
blue  and  rather  small ;  lower  part  of  long  tarsus  has  short  stiff  feathers  ;  toes  nearly 
naked,  but  with  some  hair-like  feathers  ;  feathers  of  body  downy.  Colors  brownish, 
ashy  and  white. 

Habitat. — Warmer  parts  of  North  America,  from  the  middle  states,  Ohio  valley, 
and  California  southward  through  Mexico. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


145 


The  Barn  Owl  has  of  late  years  become  rather  rare  in  various  sections 
of  Pennsylvania,  where  formerly,  it  is  said,  to  have  been  quite  plentiful. 
I  have  never  found  this  species  breeding"  in  eastern  Pennsylvania.  Prof. 
Gentry,  however,  who  has  been  more  fortunate,  says :  "In  the  selection 
of  a  place  for  nesting-  purposes,  these  owls  vary  in  different  localities. 
In  eastern  Pennsylvania  generally  a  hollow  tree,  chiefly  an  apple  or  an 
oak  is  chosen,  but,  occasionally,  a  dilapidated  and  unoccupied  barn ;  but 
more  rarely,  an  occupied  building  in  close  proximity  to  man.  When  the 
former  situations  are  chosen,  the  hollow  is  lined  with  a  few  dried  grasses 
and  feathers,  although  instances  are  not  unfrequently  met  with  where 
the  eggs  are  deposited  upon  the  bare  bottom.  In  the  latter  places  a 
few  rude  sticks  constitute  a  framework  which  is  lined  with  a  few  fine 
grasses  and  feathers.  It  is  deposited  upon  a  short  timber  in  a  some- 
what inaccessible  part  of  the  building.  Nesting-  ordinarily  takes  place 
early  in  March,  although  we  have  observed  newly-built  nests  in  the  lat- 
ter part  of  February.  Oviposition  commences  about  the  second  week 
of  March.  The  number  of  eg-gs  laid  varies  from  three  to  four,  very 
rarely  more.  *  *  The  eggs  are  somewhat  subspherical,  scarcely 

more  pointed  at  one  extremity  than  the  other,  unless  in  exceptional 
cases ;  of  a  bluish-white  color,  and  measure  1.67  inches  in  length,  and 
1.37  in  width.  They  vary,  however,  in  size  in  different  localities." 

The  following  list  gives  reports  received  from  all  observers  who  have 
noted  the  Barn  Owl  and  reported  to  me  the,  result  of  their  observations. 
From  this  it  will  be  noticed  that  this  owl  is  found  chiefly  when  breeding 
in  the  southern  parts  of  the  state. 


COUNTY. 


Allegheny. 

Do. 
Beaver,    .   .   . 

Berks 

Columbia,   .  . 
Clearfleld.      . 
Cumberland. 
Crawford.    .  . 
Chester,   .  .   . 

Do.  .  .  . 
Dauphin.  .  . 
Delaware.  .  . 
Fayette,  .  .  . 
Lehigh.  .  .  . 
Lebanon,  .  . 

Do.  .  . 

Lancaster. 

Do. 

Do. 

Lackawanna, 
Mercer,  .  .  . 
Montgomery. 
Northampton, 

Philadelphia, 
Somerset.  .  . 
Susquehanna, 

Do. 

Do. 

Venango.  .  . 
Washington, 

Do. 

Do. 
York 

Do 

Do. 


OBSERVERS. 


REMARKS. 


R.  C.  Wrenshall,  .  . 
Dr.  T.  L.  Haz/ard,  . 
Dr.  G.  A.  Scroggs,  . 

D.  F.  Keller 

Dr.  A.  B.  MacCrea, 

L.  D,  Balliet 

T.  L.  Neff 

H.  C.  Kirkpatrick,    . 

A.  P.  Lee 

B.  H.  Warren,    . 

W.  W.  Stoey 

Robert  To  wnsley,     . 
G.  W.  Linton,     .   .   . 

J.  F.  Kocher 

Geo.  R.  Ross,     .  .   . 

J.  G.  Bohn 

H. J.  Roddy 

Dr.  A.  C.  Treichler, 

James  Galen 

Geo.  P.  E'rlant,  .   .    . 
S.  8.  Overmoyer.  .  . 
Thos.  S.  Gillln,  .  .   . 
Dr.  J.  W.  Detwiiler. 

Witmer  Stone.    . 
B.  H.  Warren.    .   .   . 
8.  S    Thomas.     .   .   . 
Geo.  B.  Perry.    .   .   . 
Dr.  H.  A.  Tm^lcy.   . 
J.  R.  Robertson.  .   . 
Jas.  S.  Nease,     .  .   . 
M.  Compton. 
W.  T.  VVarrick.     .    . 
Hon.  G.  C.  Brown.  . 

Geo.  Miller 

Casper  Loucks,  .   .   . 


Rare  breeder. 

Resident  ;  breeds. 

Resident ;  breeds. 

Occasional ;  possibly  breeds. 

Straggler. 

Occasional  visitor. 

Resident ;  breeds. 

Straggler. 

Breeds  occasionally  in  vicinity  of  Oxford. 

Probably  breeds  ;  birds  taken  in  spring,  summer,  fall  and  whiter. 

Resident ;  breeds. 

Breeds. 

Breeds. 

Occasional  visitor. 

Rare  visitor. 

Rare  visitor  ;  probably  breeds. 
I  Breeds. 

Resident ;  breeds. 
j  Resident ;  breeds. 

j  Very  rare  ;  have  received  two  in  ten  years. 
I  Rare  visitor. 

Occasional  visitor  ;  nearly  extinct. 

Took  one  on  meadows  near  Philadelphia  ;  heard  of  a  pair  breed- 
ing In  a  church  steeple  at  Lancaster  city. 

Occasional  visitor. 
|  Saw  one  January,  1890,  near  Somerset. 

Rare  migrant. 
J  Straggler, 
1  Rare  visitor. 

Rare  migrant. 

Simpler;  December.  1883. 
!  Occasional  visitor  ;  December,  1882. 
|  Occasional  visitor  ;  December,  1882. 

Breeds. 
I  Straggler. 

Straggler. 


10  BIRDS. 


146 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


These  owls  subsist  principally  on  mice — especially  meadow  mice — 
rats  and  various  insects.  Sometimes  they  catch  and  devour  small  birds, 
but  never,  I  think,  molest  poultry,  either  old  or  young". 

In  the  stomachs  of  five  Barn  Owls  I  found  the  following1  food  materials: 


NO. 

DATE. 

LOCALITV. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1  * 
2 
3 
4 
5 

April  20.  1879, 
Nov.  14,  1880, 
Oct.    —  .  1881, 
Sept.  —  .  1882. 
May   21.  1886, 

Delaware  county.  Pa.  . 
Chester  county,  Pa.  ,     .  . 
Chester  county,  Pa.,      .  . 
Philadelphia  county,  Pa.  , 
Chester  county.  Pa.,     .  . 

Mice  and  fragments  of  beetles. 
Mice. 
Feathers  of  Sparrow  and  bones  of 
Mice. 
Mice. 

small  mammal. 

FAMILY  BUBONIDJE.     HORNED  OWLS,  ETC. 

GENUS  ASIO  BRISSON. 
Asio  wilsonianus  (LESS.). 

American  Long-eared  Owl ;  Cedar  Owl. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  86). 

"  Ear  tufts  long  and  conspicuous ;  eyes  rather  small  ;  wings  long  ;  tarsi  and  toes 
densely  feathered  ;  upper  parts  mottled  with  brownish-black,  fulvous,  and  ashy- 
white,  the  former  predominating  ;  breast  pale-fulvous,  with  longitudinal  stripes  of 
brownish-black  ;  abdomen  white  ;  every  feather  with  a  wide  longitudinal  stripe,  and 
with  transverse  stripes  of  brownish-black  ;  legs  and  toes  pale-fulvous,  usually  un- 
spotted, but  frequently  with  irregular  narrow  transverse  stripes  of  dark-brown  ; 
eye  nearly  encircled  with  black  ;  other  feathers  of  the  face  ashy-white  ;  with  minute 
lines  of  black  ;  ear-tufts  brownish-black  edged  with  fulvous  and  ashy-white  ;  quills 
pale-fulvous  at  their  bases,  with  irregular  transverse  bands  of  brown  ;  interior 
coverts  of  the  wing  pale-fulvous,  frequently  nearly  white  ;  the  larger  widely  tipped 
with  black  ;  tail  brown,  with  several  irregular  transverse  bands  of  ashy-fulvous, 
which  are  mottled,  as  on  the  quills  ;  bill  and  claws  dark  ;  irides  yellow. 

"Total  length  :  Female  about  13  inches;  extent  about  38;  wing  11  to  11|  ;  tail  6 
inches.  Male  rather  smaller"— B.  B.  of  N.  A. 

Habitat.—  Temperate  North  America. 

Owing  to  the  fact  that  these  birds  oftentimes  conceal  themselves  dur- 
ing" the  daytime  in  cedar  trees,  the  local  appellation  of  "  Cedar  Owl"  has 
arisen.  The  Long-eared  Owl  is  a  resident  and  one  of  the  most  abundant 
of  all  the  owl  tribe  in  this  state.  While  owls  usually  lead  a  solitary  life 
or  associate  in  pairs,  we  find  the  subject  of  this  sketch  to  be  social  and 
gregarious,  associating  commonly  in  parties  of  from  twelve  to  twenty- 
five  individuals.  During  the  winter  months,  if  not  molested,  they  often 
take  up  a  residence  in  the  dark  retreats  furnished  by  the  numerous  conif- 
erous trees  growing  around  the  habitations  of  man.  In  relation  to  a 
party  of  these  owls  Dr.  William  R.  Stavely,  Lahaska,  Bucks  county, 
Pa.,  writes  me  as  follows :  "  For  over  twenty  years  I  have  had  congre- 
gated in  my  lawn  from  fifty  to  seventy -five  owls.  They  are  peaceable 
and  quiet,  only  on  rare  occasions  would  you  know  one  was  about.  On 


Plate  35 


Rose-breasted  Grosbeak.  , 
1.  Males;  2.  Female;  3.  I<H£&g'3fe&; 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  147 

dull  days  and  foggy  evenings  they  were  flying-  about  in  all  directions. 
Never  in  all  that  time  have  I  missed  any  poultry  or  have  they  inflicted 
any  injury  on  anything  of  value. 

"  The  first  I  noticed  of  their  presence  was  the  discovery  of  quite  a  pile 
of  what  appeared  to  be  mice  hair  and  bones,  and  on  investigation  found 
the  Norway  fir  was  the  roosting  place  of  to  me  at  that  time  a  vast  num- 
ber of  owls.  They  had  ejected  the  bolus  of  hair  and  bones  apparently  of 
an  army  of  tree-eating  destructive  mice,  aiding  the  fruit-grower  against 
one  of  the  worst  and  most  inveterate  enemies.  *  *  *  *  Their 
merits  would  fill  sheets;  the  demerits  nil." 

Although  it  is  true  that  the  Long-eared  Owls  at  times  do  construct 
their  own  nests,  I  am  inclined  to  believe  that  these  birds,  in  this  region 
at  least,  prefer  to  occupy  the  deserted  nests  of  other  birds.  I  have  on 
several  occasions  found  the  Long-eared  Owls  breeding,  and  always 
observed  that  they  occupied  the  abandoned  nests  of  crows  or  hawks. 
Audubon  says  :  "  The  Long-eared  Owl  is  careless  as  to  the  situation  in 
which  its  young  are  to  be  reared,  and  generally  accommodates  itself 
with  the  abandoned  nest  of  some  other  bird  that  proves  of  sufficient 
size,  whether  it  be  high  or  low,  in  the  fissure  of  a  rock  or  on  the  ground. 
Sometimes,  however,  it  makes  a  nest  itself ;  and  this  I  found  to  be  the 
case  in  one  instance  near  the  Juniata  river,  in  Pennsylvania,  where  it 
was  composed  of  green  twigs,  with  the  leaflets  adhering,  and  lined  with 
fresh  grass  and  wool,  but  without  any  feathers."  Of  all  our  owls  this 
species  is,  without  doubt,  the  most  serviceable  to  the  farmer  and  horti- 
culturist, as  it  preys  almost  wholly  on  field-mice  and  other  destructive 
little  rodents.  Unhappily,  during  the  past  four  or  five  years  there  has 
been  a  rapid  decrease  in  the  number  of  these  birds  in  many  localities  in 
Pennsylvania ;  this  diminution,  I  judge,  is  largely  due  to  the  fact  that 
the  stuffed  heads  of  these  harmless  and  beneficial  owls  make  an  attrac- 
tive ornament  for  lovely  woman's  headwear. 

The  eggs  of  this  bird  vary  considerably  in  size  ;  a  small  example  in 
rny  possession  measures  about  1|  by  1J  inches. 

Audubon  says :  "  It  preys  chiefly  on  quadrupeds  of  the  genus  Arm- 
cola,  and  in  summer  destroys  many  beetles." 

I  have  examined  the  stomachs  of  twenty-three  Long-eared  Owls  and 
found  that  twenty-two  of  them  had  fed  only  on  mice ;  the  other  exami- 
nation made  of  a  specimen  taken  in  the  late  spring,  showed  some  bee- 
tles and  portions  of  a  small  bird. 


148  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

Asio  accipitrinus  (PALL.). 

Short-eared  Owl ;  Marsh  Owl ;  Swamp  Owl. 

DESCRIPTION  tPlate  86). 

"  Ear-tufts  very  short ;  entire  plumage  buff  or  pale-fulvous  ;  every  feather  on  the 
upper  parts  with  a  wide  longitudinal  stripe  of  dark-brown,  which  color  predomi- 
nates on  the  back  ;  under  parts  paler,  frequently  nearly  white  on  the  abdomen,  with 
longitudinal  stripes  of  brownish-black,  most  numerous  on  the  breast,  very  narrow 
and  less  numerous  on  the  abdomen  and  flanks  ;  legs  and  toes  usually  of  a  deeper 
shade  of  the  same  color  as  the  abdomen  ;  quills  pale  reddish-fulvous  at  their  bases, 
brown  at  their  ends,  with  wide  irregular  bands  and  large  spots  of  reddish-fulvous ; 
tail  pale  reddish-fulvous,  with  about  five  irregular  transverse  bands  of  dark-brown 
which  color  predominates  on  the  two  central  feathers  ;  under  tail-coverts  usually 
nearly  white  ;  throat  white ;  eyes  enclosed  by  large  spots  of  brownish-black  ;  ear- 
tufts  brown,  edged  with  fulvous  ;  bill  and  claws  dark  ;  irides  yellow. 

Total  length  :  Female,  about  15  inches ;  wing  12  ;  tail  6  inches.  Male,  rather 
smaller."  B.  B.  N.  A.  / 

Habitat.—  Throughout  North  America ;  nearly  cosmopolitan. 

The  vulgar  name  of  Marsh  Owl  is  quite  appropriate,  as  this  species 
frequents  mostly  during-  its  sojourn  in  this  region  marshy  districts  and 
grass  fields.  Sometimes  small  parties  of  five,  eight  or  even  ten  indi- 
viduals, will  be  found  in  favorite  grassy  retreats. 

According  to  my  observation  the  Short-eared  Owl  occurs  in  Pennsyl- 
vania as  a  tolerably  common  winter  resident,  arriving  from  more  north- 
ern latitudes,  early  in  November  and  departing  early  in  April.  Turn- 
bull,  in  his  "  Birds  of  Eastern  Pennsylvania"  records  it  as  a  winter  resi- 
dent, "  not  uncommon."  The  Messrs.  Baird  speak  of  it  as  "  abundant ; 
not  seen  in  summer,"  and  Dr.  Michener  says  :  "  Resident,  frequent  in 
winter;  rare  in  summer."  Audubon  found  a  nest  of  this  owl  in  Penn- 
sylvania on  one  of  the  high  mountain  ridges  of  the  Great  Pine  Forest, 
on  June  17.  In  reference  to  this  "  find  "  he  writes :  "  It  contained  four 
eggs,  nearly  ready  to  be  hatched.  They  were  of  a  dull  bluish-white,  of 
a  somewhat  elongated  or  elliptical  form,  measuring  an  inch  and  a  half 
in  length,  and  an  inch  and  an  eighth  in  breadth.  The  nest  was  placed 
under  a  low  bush,  and  covered  over  by  tall  grass,  through  which  a  path 
had  been  made  by  the  bird.  It  was  formed  of  dry  grass,  raked  together 
in  a  slovenly  manner  and  quite  flat,  but  covering  a  large  space,  on  one 
side  of  which  were  found  many  pellets  and  two  field  mice.  I  should 
never  have  discovered  their  nest  had  not  the  sitting  bird  made  a  noise 
by  clicking  its  bill  as  I  was  passing  close  by.  The  poor  thing  was  so 
intent  on  her  task  that  I  almost  put  my  hand  on  her  before  she  moved ; 
and  then,  instead  of  flying  off,  she  hopped  with  great  leaps  until  about 
ten  yards  from  me,  keeping  up  a  constant  clicking  of  her  mandibles. 
Having  satisfied  myself  as  to  the  species,  made  an  outline  of  two  of  the 
eggs  and  measuring  them,  I  proceeded  slowly  to  a  short  distance  and 
watched  her  movements.  Having  remained  silent  and  still  for  about  ten 
minutes,  I  saw  her  hop  toward  the  nest,  and  soon  felt  assured  she  had 
resumed  her  task." 

L.  M.  Turner,  the  Arctic  explorer,  in  his   "  Contributions  to  the  Natu- 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


149 


rat  History  of  Alaska"  says  :  "  Among  the  natives  of  the  Yukon  district 
the  liver  of  this  bird  is  used  as  a  love-philter.  The  liver  is  dried  and 
reduced  to  a  powder,  and  placed,  unknown  to  the  person  to  whom  the 
philter  is  to  be  administered,  in  some  food.  On  eating  the  food  the  de- 
sired affection  is  supposed  to  make  itself  evident.  I  knew  of  an  incident 
where  a  native  endeavored,  by  this  means,  to  regain  the  affection  of  his 
wife.  The  mother-in-law  had  more  potency  than  dried  owl-liver,  and  as 
she  controlled  her  daughter  the  philter  was  as  naught.  It  is  adminis- 
tered indifferently,  by  man  or  woman,  and  is  frequently  used  by  the 
Eskimo." 

From  the  following  list  it  will  be  observed  that  this  owl  very  seldom 
is  found  breeding  in  this  state : 


COUNTY. 

OBSERVERS. 

REMARKS. 

Bradford 

J  TJ  Camp  

Winter  visitor. 

Do 

A  T  Lilley 

Migrant 

Berks 

Migrant  in  winter 

Do 

D  F.  Keller  

Winter  visitor. 

S  Edward  Paschall 

Winter  visitor 

Clinton  
Chester 

Dr.  Van  Fleet,  
B.  H.  Warren  

Migrant. 
Winter  resident. 

Dauphin  
Brie  
Ly  coming, 

W.  W.  Stoey  
G.  B.  Sennett  
A.  Kock  

Migrant;  possibly  breeds. 
Migrant. 
Migrant;  possibly  breeds. 

Q.  p  Friant  .  .  . 

Winter  visitor. 

Lehigh  
Lancaster  
Lebanon  
Montgomery  
Northampton  
Do.                   .... 
Perry,  •  
Philadelphia  
Do 

J.  F.  Kocher  
Dr.  A.  C.  Treichler,    
Geo.  R.  Ross,     
Thomas  S.  Gillin,     
O.  B.  Hark  
Dr.  J.  W.  Detwiller  
H.  J.  Roddy,  
Rev.  Joseph  Johnson  
J.  P.  Ball  

Migrant. 
Common  in  winter;  breeds  occasionally.  * 
Winter  visitor. 
Common  in  winter. 
Winter  resident. 
Migrant. 
Migrant. 
Winter  visitor. 
Migrant. 

J  R  Robertson 

Migrant. 

Washington  
Do. 

J.  S.  Nease  
M.  Compton,  .  . 

Winter  visitor. 
Winter  visitor. 

Do 

W  T  Warrick,  ....  <. 

Winter  visitor. 

Nuttall  says :  "Its  food  is  almost  exclusively  mice,  for  which  it  watches, 
seated  on  a  stump,  with  all  the  vigilance  of  a  cat,  listening  attentively 
to  the  low  squeak  of  its  prey,  to  which  it  is  so  much  alive  as  to  be  some- 
times brought  in  sight  by  imitating  the  sound."  In  the  disgorged  pel- 
lets of  this  species  examined  by  Audubon,  he  found  the  remains  of  bones 
of  small  quadrupeds,  mixed  with  hair,  and  remains  of  various  beetles. 

The  food  of  eleven  of  these  owls  examined  by  me  will  be  found  in  the 
following  table : 


NO. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1 

Jan.     4.  1880.  .  .  . 

Chester  county    Pa 

Field  mice. 

2 

H 

Jan.     5,  1880.  . 

M:ir.  17,  1882, 

Chester  county.  Pa  
Purchased  at  Philadelphia  Market 

Field  mice. 
Field  mice 

4 

Nov.  13,  1883  

Delaware  county.  Pa  

Field  mice. 

i; 

Nov.    7,  1883  
Nov.    1.  1885.  .   .   . 

Cecil  county,  Md  
Chester  county,  Pa.  ,                   

Field  mice. 
Beetles  and  field  mice. 

8 
9 
10 

Mar.  —  ,  1880  
Nov.  21.  188»>,  . 
Nov.  2iV  I8SC,  
Nov.  27.  ISHti  

Chester  county.  Pa.  ,     
Chester  county.  Pa  
Chester  county,  Pa.  ,     
Chester  county,  Pa.  ,               .                .... 

Beetles  and  Held  mire. 
Field  mice. 
Field  mice. 
Field  mice. 

11 

Dec.     8,  188«  

Chester  county,  Pa  

Field  mice. 

'  I  have  found  the  Swamp  or  Short-eared  Owl  at  all  times  of  the  year  in  the  Conewago  Valley  ;  this 
leads  me  to  believe  that  it  breeds  here,  sometimes,  or  at  least  on  the  Blue  mountains,  in  the  vicinity  of 
Colebrook  and  Mt.  Gretna.  "—Treichler. 


150  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


GENUS  SYRNIUM  SAVIGNY. 
Syrnium  nebulosum  (FOBST.). 

Barred  Owl ;  Rain  Owl. 

DESCRIPTION    (Plate  87}. 

"Head  large,  without  ear-tufts  ;  tail  rather  long  ;  upper  parts  light  ashy-brown, 
frequently  tinged  with  dull-yellow,  with  transverse  narrow  bands  of  white,  most 
numerous  on  the  head  and  neck  behind,  broader  on  the  back  ;  breast  with  transverse 
bands  of  brown  and  white  ;  abdomen  ashy-white,  with  longitudinal  stripes  of  brown; 
tarsi  and  toes  ashy-white,  tinged  with  fulvous,  generally  without  spots,  but  fre- 
quently mottled  and  banded  with  dark-brown  ;  quills  brown,  with  six  or  seven 
tran  verse  bars,  nearly  pure-white,  on  the  outer  webs,  and  ashy-fulvous  on  the  inner 
webs  ;  tail  light  brown,  with  about  five  bands  of  white,  generally  tinged  with  reddish- 
yellow  ;  discal  feathers  *  tipped  with  white;  face 'ashy-white,  with  lines  of  brown, 
and  a  spot  of  black  in  front  of  the  eye  ;  throat  dark-brown  ;  claws  horn-color  ;  bill 
yellow  ;  irides  bluish-black.  Sexes  alike. 

Total  length  about  20  inches  ;  extent  about  44  ;  wing  13  to  14  ;  tail  9  inches."  B. 
B.  N.  A. 

Habitat. — Eastern  United  States,  west  to  Minnesota  and  Texas,  north  to  Nova 
Scotia  and  Quebec. 

The  Barred  Owl  is  readily  distinguished  from  other  species  by  its 
large  size,  yellow-colored  bill  and  its  black  eyes.  Barred  Owls  are  ex- 
ceedingly abundant  in  many  of  the  southern  states,  where  they  are 
known  by  the  names  of  "  Hoot  and  Swamp  Owls."  In  Pennsylvania  this 
owl  is  found  all  months  of  the  year,  and  in  many  of  the  mountainous 
and  heavy-wooded  regions  it  is  the  most  common  of  all  the  owls.  The 
Barred  Owl  lays  its  eggs  in  a  hollow  tree,  or  in  a  deserted  nest  of  a  hawk 
or  crow ;  the  white  eggs  are  a  little  under  2  inches  long  by  about  If 
wide.  The  Barred  and  Great  Horned  Owls  are  the  only  species,  in  this 
locality,  whose  depredations  in  the  poultry  yard  bring  them  to  the  no- 
tice of  the  farmer.  Unfortunately,  however,  the  hatred  towards  these 
two  birds,  and  particularly  the  enmity  against  the  Great  Horned  Owls, 
has  brought  all  our  owls  in  bad  favor  ;  the  farmer's  boy  and  sportsman, 
with  few  exceptions,  let  no  opportunity  pass  to  pillage  an  owl's  nest 
or  slay  its  owners.  In  this  way,  there  are  annually  destroyed  large 
numbers  of  the  Screech,  Long-eared  and  Short-eared  species,  simply  be- 
cause the'  popular  idea  is  that  owls,  large  and  small,  prey  only  on  poul- 
try and  game. 

Wilson  says,  although  mice  and  small  game  are  the  most  usual  food 
of  Barred  Owls,  they  sometimes  seize  on  fowls,  partridges  and  young 
rabbits. 

"  The  Barred  Owl  subsists  principally  upon  small  birds,  field  mice 
and  reptiles.  He  is  frequently  seen,  in  early  twilight,  flying  over  the 
low  meadow  lands,  searching  for  the  mice  that  dwell  there ;  he  usually 
takes  a  direct  course,  and  sometimes  flies  so  low  that  the  tips  of  his 
wings  seem  to  touch  the  grass.  When  he  discovers  his  prey  he  drops 

*  Radiating  feathers  surrounding  the  eyes. 


.  Plate  36. 


Indigo  Bunting. 
1,  2,  3.  Males  in  different  stages  of  Plumage;  4.  Female. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


151 


on  it  instantly,  folding  his  wings  and  protruding  his  feet,  in  which  his 
quarry  is  always  secured ;  he  often  captures  frogs  that  are  sitting  on 
the  shores  of  ponds  and  rivers ;  but  I  am  inclined  to  think  that  the 
statement,  quoted  by  Audubon,  that  he  often  catches  fish,  is  incor- 
rect. " — Samuels.  * 

The  Florida  Barred  Owl — a  local  race,  technically  called  Syrnium 
nebulosum  alleni — is  exceedingly  abundant  about  the  almost  impenetrable 
swamps  and  heavily-timbered  regions  along  the  St.  John's  river.  In 
the  winter  of  1885,  I  was  informed  by  two  residents  of  Florida,  both 
gentlemen  whom  I  consider  thoroughly  trustworthy,  that  this  owl  fre- 
quently preys  on  fish,  which  it  secures,  while  sitting  close  to  the  water's 
edge,  by  a  dextrous  movement  of  the  foot.  The  stomach  contents  of 
five  of  these  Florida  Owls,  which  I  examined,  consisted  only  of  the 
remains  of  small  birds  and  coleopterous  insects. 

Referring  to  this  species,  Nuttall  says:  Their  food  is  principally 
rabbitts,  squirrels,  grouse,  quails,  rats,  mice  and  frogs.  From  necessity, 
as  well  as  choice,  they  not  unfrequently  appear  around  the  farmhouse 
and  garden,  in  quest  of  poultry,  particularly  young  chickens.  At  these 
times  they  prowl  abroad  toward  evening,  and  fly  low  and  steadily  about, 
as  if  beating  for  their  prey. 

The  stomach  contents  of  eight  of  these  owls  which  I  have  examined 
are  recorded  in  the  following  table: 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1 

Oct.   28,  1879. 

Chester  county,  Pa. 

Field  mice  and  beetles. 

2 

Nov.  17,  1879. 

Chester  county,  Pa. 

Beetles  and  small  bird  (Robin). 

I 

Jan.  -.  1880. 

Chester  county.  Pa. 

Field  mice. 

4 

Jan.  11.  188!. 

Chester  county.  Pa. 

Remains  of  chicken  and  field  mice. 

5 

6 

Jan.  20.  1888. 
Jan.  12.  1884, 

Chester  county.  Pa. 
Chester  county,  Pa- 

Field  mice  and  small  bird  (Meadowlark). 
Beetles  and  chicken  feathers. 

7 
8 

Dec.  16.  1886. 
Nov.  18.  1887, 

Chester  county.  Pa. 
Cecil  county,  Md., 

Remains  of  rabbit  (Lepus). 
Fragments  of  beetles  and  bones  of  small  mammal. 

GENUS  ULULA  OUVIEE. 


Ulula  cinerea  (GMEL.). 

Great  Gray  Owl. 


DESCRIPTION. 


A  very  large  round-headed  owl,  without  ear  tufts  ;  although  much  larger,  resem- 
bles somewhat  the  Barred  Owl,  but  can  be  easily  distinguished  from  the  latter. 

Length  (female)  28;  extent  about  56;  wing  17,  tail  12  ;  bill  and  eyes  yellow  ;  claws 
long  and  very  sharp  and  dusky.  Above  dark-brown,  feathers  variously  spotted, 
mottled  or  barred  with  fine  grayish-white  markings  ;  lower  parts  similar  but  more 
grayish,  with  longitudinal  streaks  on  breast,  and  cross  bars  of  white  and  dusky  on 
flanks ;  face  grayish-white  with  numerous  narrow  rings  of  dusky  ;  a  patch  of  black 
about  eyes  on  either  side  of  bill. 

Habitat,.— Arctic  America,  straggling  southward  in  winter,  to  the  northern  border 
of  the  United  States. 


'  Our  Northern  and  Eastern  Birds,  by  E.  A.  Samuels,  p.  74. 


152  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

This  owl,  one  of  the  largest,  if  not  the  largest  in  North  America,  is 
found  in  Pennsylvania  only  as  a  very  rare  and  irregular  straggler  in 
winter.  Twenty  or  more  years  ago  a  specimen  was  captured  in  Chester 
county  in  midwinter  by  H.  B.  Graves.  About  eight  years  ago  Dr.  I.  F. 
Everhart,  of  Scranton,  found  one  dead  in  the  mountains  in  Lackawanna 
county.  Mr.  Geo.  B.  Sennett  tells  me  one  was  found  a  few  years  ago  in 
the  smoke  stack  of  a  steamboat  at  Erie  city.  Geo.  B.  Perry,  Susque- 
hanna  county,  and  H.  J.  Roddy,  Perry  county,  also  mention  this  owl  as 
a  straggler. 


GENUS  NYCTALA  BREHM. 
Nyctala  acadica  (GMEL.). 

Acadian  Owl ;  Saw-whet  Owl.  /•  . 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  87). 

"Small ;  wings  long  ;  tail  short ;  upper  parts  reddish-brown,  tinged  with  olive ; 
head  in  front  with  fine  lines  of  white,  and  on  the  neck  behind,  rump,  and  scapulars, 
with  large,  partially  concealed  spots  of  white  ;  face  ashy- white  ;  throat  white  ;  under 
parts  ashy-white,  with  longitudinal  stripes  of  pale  reddish-brown  ;  under  coverts  of 
wings  and  tail  white ;  quills  brown,  with  small  spots  of  white  on  their  outer  edges, 
and  large  spots  of  the  same  on  their  inner  webs  ;  tail  brown,  every  feather  with 
about  three  pairs  of  spots  of  white  ;  bill  and  claws  dark  ;  irides  yellow. 

Total  length  about  7§  to  8  inches ;  extent  about  18  ;  wing  5| ;  tail  2J  to  3  inches. 
Sexes  nearly  the  same  size  and  alike  in  colors." — B.  B.  of  N.  A. 

Habitat.—  North  America  at  large  ;  breeding  from  Middle  States  northward. 

The  Acadian  is  the  smallest  owl  found  in  the  United  States  east  of 
the  Mississippi  river.  Although  apparently  larger,  it  -is  in  reality 
smaller,  than  our  common  robin.  This  pigmy  mass  of  owl-life  is,  I  sup- 
pose, the  species  which  was  regarded  as  not  destructive  to  poultry  and 
game,  by  the  author  of  the  "Scalp  Act,"  when  he  introduced  therein  a 
clause  exempting  "The  Arcadian  Screech  or  Barn  Owl."  From  the  fact, 
however,  that  the  decapitated  heads  of  pheasants,*  nighthawks, 
chickens,  cuckoos,  shrikes,  and  doubtless  other  birds,  were  cremated  and 
paid  for  as  the  heads  of  destructive,  rapacious  "hawks,"  it  is  but  reason- 
able to  suppose  that  our  little  Acadian  Owl,  when  found  by  the  eager 
scalp  hunter,  was  generally  slain,  and  the  bounty  of  fifty  cents  given 
"for  the  benefit  of  agriculture  and  for  the  protection  of  game." 

The  name  Saw-whet  is  applied  to  this  bird  because,  at  times,  its 
squeaky  voice  resembles  the  wheting  or  filing  of  a  saw.  Owing  to  the 
small  size  of  this  owl,  together  with  the  fact  that  during  the  daytime  it 
remains  secreted  in  hollow  trees,  thick  foliage  or  in  dark  and  secluded 

*In  December,  1886,  Prof.  S.  F.  Baird  informed  me  that  he  had  received  for  identification,  from  several 
counties  in  Pennsylvania,  the  heads  of  Pheasants  (Bonasa  umbellus).  These  heads  were  called  by  the 
parties  sending  them  to  Prof.  Baird  ' '  Hawk  heads,  "  and  as  such  they  had  been  presented  for  the  fifty- 
cent  bounty,  which  had  been  paid.  Prof.  Baird  also  examined  some  Pennsylvania  ' '  wolf  scalps, "  on 
which  premiums  had  been  given,  and  ascertained  that  the  so-called  "wolf  scalps  "had  been  fashioned 
from  pelts  of  the  common  Red  Fox  (  Vulpee  fulvus). 


Plate  37. 


Scarlet  Tanager. 
t  Male;   2.  Female. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  153 


rocky  retreats,  it  is  seldom  met  with,  hence  is  regarded  as  one  of  our 
rarest  residents.  The  young-  of  this  bird,  taken  in  the  vicinity  of  Phila- 
delphia, have  been  seen  by  Prof.  Gentry,  and  in  E.  A.  Samuel's  work, 
"  Our  Northern  and  Eastern  Birds"  the  following  interesting  account  is 
given  by  Eichard  Christ  of  a  nest  that  he  found  April  25,  1867,  at 
Nazareth,  Pennsylvania: 

"  This,  the  smallest  of  all  our  owls,  is  also  the  most  rare,  but  a  single 
specimen  being  seen  in  a  period  of  several  years.  It  is  very  tame  when 
found,  permitting  one  to  approach  very  close  to  it  before  flying  away. 
I  am  inclined  to  think  that  it  sees  less  in  the  daytime  than  any  other 
species  of  our  owls,  for  one  can  touch  it  without  being  noticed,  the  bird 
taking  flight  more  from  alarm  to  its  sense  of  hearing  than  any  other 
cause. 

"  It  generally  frequents  stone  quarries  or  piles  of  rocks,  beneath  which 
it  takes  shelter ;  and  it  is  from  this  habit  that  the  bird  here  is  known  by 
the  name  of  'Stone  Owl.'  On  the  25th  of  April,  1867, 1  was  so  fortu- 
nate as  to  find  the  nest  of  one  of  these  birds.  It  was  placed  or  located 
in  the  hollow  of  a  tree,  about  twenty  feet  from  the  ground ;  the  en- 
trance to  the  hole  was  very  small,  scarcely  two  inches  in  diameter.  On 
climbing  the  tree  and  looking  in  the  hollow,  I  discovered  sitting  on  the 
bottom  what  I  supposed  might  be  a  small  owl.  Uncertain  as  to  the 
truth,  I  introduced  a  small  stick  into  the  hole,  and  turned  the  bird  over 
upon  her  side,  she  making  no  struggle  whatever,  but  remaining  per- 
fectly still  as  if  dead.  I  discovered  that  she  was  sitting  upon  a  single  egg. 
Supposing  that  she  had  but  just  commenced  laying,  I  left  her,  and  did 
not  molest  her  again  for  several  days ;  on  the  fifth  day  after  I  again  ex- 
amined the  nest,  and  found  the  bird  on  her  egg,  none  other  having  been 
laid.  I  enlarged  the  hole,  and  took  the  egg,  leaving  the  owl  quietly  sit- 
ting on  the  rotten  chips  which  formed  the  bottom  of  the  nest. 

"  The  egg  was  white  with  a  bluish  tint,  like  many  of  the  other  owls' 
eggs,  nearly  globular  in  form,  and  considerably  smaller  than  the  egg  of 
the  Ked  or  Mottled  Owl." 

Dr.  Elliott  Coues,  in  his  "  Birds  of  the  Northwest"  says:  "  Mr.  Gentry 
informs  me  of  a  curious  circumstance  in  regard  to  this  owl.  Referring 
to  the  association  of  the  Burrowing  Owl  of  the  west  with  the  prairie 
dog,  he  continues :  '  In  the  hollow  of  an  oak  tree,  not  far  from  German- 
town,  lives  an  individual  of  the  common  chickaree  squirrel  (Sciurus 
hudsonius\  with  a  specimen  of  this  little  owl  as  his  sole  companion. 
They  occupy  the  same  hole  together  in  perfect  harmony  and  mutual 
good-will.  It  is  not  an  accidental,  temporary  association,  for  the  bird 
and  the  squirrel  have  repeatedly  been  observed  to  enter  the  same  hole 
together,  as  if  they  had  always  shared  the  apartment.  But  what  benefit 
can  either  derive  from  the  other  ? '  " 

Mr.  Otto  Behr  writes  me  as  follows  of  this  species :  "  The  Acadian 
Owl  is  quite  common  here  (Lopez,  Sullivan  county),  though  not  often 


154  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

seen ;  the  young  leave  the  nest  about  the  first  week  in  May.  They  make 
a  noise  which  sounds  like  a  dog  "  sniffing  "  the  air.  The  noise  gave  me 
quite  a  start  the  first  time  I  heard  it.  It  being  at  night  in  heavy  timber, 
and  as  it  seemed  to  come  from  overhead  somewhere,  I  supposed  it  was 
a  bear  or  some  such  animal  up  a  tree  near  by." 

This  little  owl,  although  sometimes  known  to  prey  on  small  quad- 
rupeds, principally  mice,  and  at  times  on  small  birds,  such  as  sparrows 
and  warblers,  subsists  mainly  on  the  larger  species  of  insects  which  it 
is  able  to  secure  in  its  nocturnal  wanderings. 

The  stomach  contents  of  seven  of  these  owls,  which  I  have  examined, 
are  given  in  the  following  table: 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS* 

1 

Aug.  30,  1879 

Chester  county,  Pa.  , 

? 

Nov.  11,  1881  

Delaware  county,  Pa  

Beetles. 

3 

Nov.  10,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa.  , 

4 

Nov.  10,  1883  

Chester  county,  Pa.,  

Beetles  and  other  insects 

5 

Sept  20   1884 

Chester  county,  Pa  , 

6 

July  —  ,  1887,  

Venango  county,  Pa  

Beetles. 

7 

Dec    —  (  1889, 

Elk  county,  Pa  , 

GENUS  MEGASCOPS  KAUP. 
Megascope  asio  (LINN.). 

Screech  Owl ;  Red  Owl ;  Mottled  Owl ;  Gray  Owl. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  18). 

Adult  or  young  Screech  Owls  may  be  either  red  or  gray  in  color.  The  nestlings 
are  white.  This  species  measures  about  10  inches  in  length  ;  extent  of  wings  about 
22  inches. 

Habitat. — Temperate  eastern  North  America,  south  to  Georgia  and  west  to  the 
plains.  Accidental  in  England. 

This  handsome  little  owl  is  the  most  common  of  all  owls  found  in 
Pennsylvania.  It  is  resident,  but,  unlike  the  long-eared  species,  is  not 
gregarious.  Its  almost  spherical  and  white  eggs — four  to  six  in  num- 
ber (mostly  four) — are  deposited  in  a  hollow  tree.  A  tree  in  an  apple 
orchard  is  frequently  made  use  of  for  breeding  purposes,  as  well  as  a 
common  diurnal  resort  at  all  seasons.  The  eggs  measure  about  1.33  by 
1.18  inches.  This  bird,  when  taken  from  the  nest  and  raised,  makes  a 
very  interesting  pet,  one  that  not  only  becomes  attached  to  its  master, 
but  which  also  is  capable  of  rendering  him  most  efficient  services  in  the 
destruction  of  mice,  whose  vexatious  ravages  are  frequently  so  annoying. 
Some  few  years  ago  an  acquaintance  of  mine  placed  two  of  these  birds 
in  his  cellar  which  was  overrun  with  mice,  and  in  a  few  weeks  the  place 
was  depopulated  of  these  little  four-footed  pests. 

A  Screech  Owl  which  I  kept  for  several  months  in  captivity  fed 
eagerly  on  grasshoppers  and  pieces  of  fresh  beef.  When  a  mouse  was 
given  to  this  bird  it  would  seize  it  with  its  claws,  and  after  severing 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  155 


with  its  bill  the  skin  about  the  head  and  neck,  would  swallow  the  whole 
mass,  always,  I  think,  head  foremost.  When  it  fed  on  small  birds— 
which  were  frequently  shot  and  placed  in  its  box — but  which  it  would 
seldom  touch,  I  noticed  that  it  generally  tore  open  the  skull  and  ate  the 
brain  substance.  This  owl  would  never  drink  water. 

"The  flight  of  the  Mottled  Owl  is  smooth,  rapid,  protracted  and 
noiseless.  It  rises  at  times  above  the  top  branches  of  the  highest  of 
our  forest  trees  whilst  in  pursuit  of  large  beetles ;  and  at  other  times 
sails  low  and  swiftly  over  the  fields,  or  through  the  woods,  in  search  of 
small  birds,  field  mice,  moles  or  wood  rats,  from  which  it  chiefly  derives 
its  subsistance.  Sometimes  on  alighting,  which  it  does  plumply,  the 
Mottled  Owl  immediately  bends  its  body,  turns  its  head  to  look  behind 
it,  performs  a  curious  nod,  utters  its  notes,  then  shakes  and  plumes 
itself,  and  resumes  its  flight  in  search  of  prey.  It  now  and  then,  while 
on  the  wing,  produces  a  clicking  sound  with  its  mandibles,  but  more 
frequently  when  perched  near  its  mate  or  young.  This  I  have  thought 
was  done  by  the  bird  to  manifest  its  courage,  and  let  the  hearer  know 
that  it  is  not  to  be  meddled  with ;  although  few  birds  of  prey  are  more 
gentle  when  seized,  as  it  will  suffer  a  person  to  touch  its  feathers  and 
caress  it  without  attempting  to  bite  or  strike  with  its  talons,  unless  at 
rare  intervals. 

"  The  notes  of  this  owl  are  uttered  in  a  tremulous,  doleful  manner,  and 
somewhat  resemble  the  chattering  of  the  teeth  of  a  person  under  the 
influence  of  extreme  cold,  although  much  louder.  They  are  heard  at  a 
distance  of  several  hundred  yards,  and  by  some  people  are  thought  to 
be  of  ominous  import." 

"  The  little  fellow  is  generally  found  about  farm-houses,  orchards  and 
gardens.  It  alights  on  the  roof,  the  fence  or  the  garden  gate,  and  utters 
its  mournful  ditty,  at  intervals,  for  hours  at  a  time,  as  if  it  were  in  a 
state  of  great  suffering,  although  this  is  far  from  being  the  case — the 
song  of  all  birds  being  an  indication  of  content  and  happiness.  In  a 
state  of  confinement  it  utters  its  notes  with  as  much  satisfaction  as  if  at 
liberty.  They  are  chiefly  heard  during  the  latter  part  of  winter — that 
being  the  season  of  love,  when  the  male  bird  is  particularly  attentive  to 
the  fair  one,  which  excites  his  tender  emotions,  and  around  which  he 
flies  and  struts  much  in  the  manner  of  the  common  pigeon,  adding 
numerous  nods  and  bows,  the  sight  of  which  is  very  amusing." — Audubon. 

The  following  interesting  account  of  the  methods  employed  by  an 
enthusiastic  oologist  is  taken  from  a  letter  written  to  me,  October,  1889, 
by  Mr.  O.  B.  Hark,  of  Bethlehem :  "  Have  you  ever  heard  of  fixing 
holes  for  Sparrow  Hawks  and  Screech  Owls  1  Mr.  John  Mack,  the  best 
climber  I  ever  met,  every  spring  cleans  out  old  holes,  enlarges  such  as 
are  too  small,  etc.,  and  finds  it  pays  him  well ;  this  spring  he  got  ninety 
Sparrow  Hawk  eggs  and  every  one  was  taken  out  of  holes  fixed  by  him ; 
at  one  time  he  put  the  leg  of  an  old  rubber  boot  in  a  hollow  tree  and 


156  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


several  weeks  later  took  a  batch  of  Screech  Owl's  eggs  out  of  it.  An- 
other singular  experience  he  had  with  owls  is,  he  made  a  hole  in  a  wil- 
low tree ;  when  he  came  to  look  after  it  again  he  found  owls  had  taken 
possession  of  it  and  had  nearly  filled  it  with  field  mice ;  he  said  there 
were  enough  mice  in  it  to  fill  his  derby  hat.  This  happened  just 
before  a  heavy  snow  storm  and  about  ten  days  later  every  mouse  was 
gone." 

Mr.  L.  M.  Turner  informs  me  that  he  has  made  a  number  of  exami- 
nations of  Screech  Owls  captured  in  Illinois,  and  very  generally  found 
their  food  consisted  of  such  insects  as  the  larger  beetles  and  grasshop- 
pers, also  many  mice.  Grasshoppers  and  other  orthopterous  insects  are 
devoured  in  large  quantities  by  these  birds. 

During  the  summer  months  and  at  other  times  when  insect  life  is 
abundant  the  Screech  Owls  subsist  mainly  on  an  insect  diet.  These  birds 
also  prey*  on  mice,  shrews,  other  small  quadrupeds  and  small  birds.  In 
the  twenty-seven  stomach  examinations,  which  I  have  recorded,  of  birds 
taken  principally  in  the  winter  season,  seventeen  had  fed  on  mice  and 
insects ;  five,  small  birds ;  three,  mice  and  insects ;  two,  small  birds  and 
insects. 

GENUS  BUBO  OUVIER. 
Bubo  virginianus  (GMEL.). 

Great  Horned  Owl ;  Hoot  Owl. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  19). 

Length  (i'emale)  21  to  24  inches  ;  extent  about  5  feet ;  tail  about  9  Inches  ;  male  19 
to  23  long  ;  extent  about  50  to  53  inches.  Can  be  distinguished  by  its  large  size  and 
long  ear-tufts.  Plumage  blackish,  brownish,  dusky,  grayish  and  whitish  in  mix- 
ture ;  throat  and  middle  of  breast  white. 

Habitat. — Eastern  North  America,  west  to  the  Mississippi  Valley,  and  Irom  Lab- 
rador south  to  Costa  Rica. 

This  well-known  and  rather  common  inhabitant  of  the  forests  can 
easily  be  recognized  by  its  large  size,  the  conspicuous  white  feathers  of 
the  throat  and  the  long-ear  tufts  which  measure  2J  inches  or  more  in 
length.  The  Great  Horned,  the  largest  of  all  our  native  owls,  is  the 
first  to  commence  nesting.  I  have  found  its  eggs  in  February,  and  am 
told  that  it  occasionally  lays  in  January.  In  this  locality  the  Great 
Horned  Owl  seldom  breeds  in  hollow  trees ;  sometimes  it  constructs  a 
rude  and  bulky  nest  of  sticks,  lined  with  grasses  and  feathers,  on  the 
large  horizontal  limbs  of  trees  in  its  favorite  wooded  retreats.  Its  eggs, 
measuring  about  2£  inches  in  length  by  2  inches  in  width,  are  mostly 
deposited  in  the  deserted  nests  of  hawks  or  crows.  Although  it  is  stated 
by  different  writers  that  this  species  lays  four  or  more  eggs,  I  have 
never  found,  in  seven  nests  examined,  over  two  eggs  or  a  like  number  of 
young.  Mr.  Thomas  H.  Jackson,  of  West  Chester,  Pa.,  writing  in  the 

*This  species,  and  also  the  Great  Horned  Owl,  is  said  to  prey  occasionally  on  fishes. 


Plate  38. 


White-bellied  Swallow. 
1.  Adult  Male;  2.  Female. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  157 

x~~    - 

Ornithologist  and  Oologist,  June,  1886,  says :  "  In  thirteen  nests  of  this 
bird  that  have  come  under  personal  notice,  twelve  contained  two  egg's, 
or  young,  and  only  one  contained  three  eggs.  All  the  nests  referred  to 
above  were  placed  in  branches  of  trees  and  were  generally  those  of 
hawks  or  crows,  renovated  or  enlarged.  Occasionally  a  hollow  tree  is 
used  for  this  purpose.  Upon  one  occasion  I  replaced  the  owl's  eggs 
taken  from  a  nest  with  those  of  the  common  hen,  and  upon  visiting  them 
at  the  expiration  of  three  weeks,  found  that  both  the  latter  had  been 
hatched  and  had  fallen  from  the  nest,  about  twenty  feet  from  the  ground, 
and  that  the  owls  had  deserted  the  locality.  The  Great  Horned  Owls 
are  liberal  providers  for  their  young.  I  have  frequently  found  full 
grown  rabbits  lying  in  the  nest  beside  the  young,  and  scarcely  a  nest 
visited  did  not  have  a  strong  odor  of  skunk,  while  bones  and  feathers 
were  scattered  around  attesting  to  the  predacious  habits  of  the  proprie- 
tors." "  The  flight  of  the  Great  Horned  Owl  is  elevated,  rapid  and 
graceful.  It  sails  with  apparent  ease  and  in  large  circles,  in  the  manner 
of  an  eagle,  rises  and  descends  without  the  least  difficulty  by  merely 
inclining  its  wings  or  its  tail  as  it  passes  through  the  air.  Now  and 
then  it  glides  silently  close  over  the  earth  with  incomparable  velocity, 
and  drops,  as  if  shot  dead,  on  the  prey  beneath.  At  other  times,  it  sud- 
denly alights  on  the  top  of  a  fence  stake  or  a  dead  stump,  shakes  its 
'feathers,  arranges  them,  and  utters  a  shriek  so  horrid  that  the  woods 
around  echo  to  its  dismal  sound.  Now,  it  seems  as  if  you  heard  the 
barking  of  a  cur  dog ;  again  the  notes  are  so  rough  and  mingled  together 
that  they  might  be  mistaken  for  the  last  gurglings  of  a  murdered  person 
striving  in  vain  to  call  for  assistance ;  at  another  time,  when  not  more 
than  fifty  yards  distant,  it  utters  its  more  usual  hoo,  hoo,  hoo-e,  in  so 
peculiar  an  undertone  that  a  person  unacquainted  with  the  notes  of  this 
species  might  easily  conceive  them  to  be  produced  by  an  owl  more  than 
a  mile  distant.  During  the  utterance  of  all  these  unmusical  cries  it 
moves  its  body,  and  more  particularly  its  head,  in  various  ways,  putting 
them  into  positions,  all  of  which  appear  to  please  it  much,  however  gro- 
tesque they  may  seem  to  the  eye  of  man.  In  the  interval  following  each 
cry  it  snaps  its  bill." — Audubon. 

These  owls,  like  the  preceding  species,  are  not  migratory  and  when 
not  engaged  in  breeding  lead  a  solitary  existence.  Although  chiefly 
nocturnal  in  habits,  Great  Horned  Owls  are  often  seen  in  cloudy  weather 
and  in  the  early  twilight  searching  for  food.  On  one  occasion,  when  the 
sun  was  shining  brightly  (about  10  A.  M.),  I  saw  one  of  these  owls  make 
two  attempts  to  catch  a  hen  and  her  young  chicks. 

Audubon  says :  Its  food  consists  chiefly  of  the  larger  species  of  galli- 
naceous birds,  half-grown  wild  turkeys,  pheasants  and  domestic  poultry 
of  all  kinds,  together  with  several  species  of  ducks.  Hares,  young  opos- 
sums and  squirrels  are  equally  agreeable  to  it,  and  whenever  chance 
throws  a  dead  fish  on  the  shore  the  Great  Horned  Owl  feeds  with  pecu- 
liar avidity  on  it." 


158  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


.  Nuttall  tells  us  they  usually  prey  on  young  rabbits,  squirrels,  rats, 
mice,  quails  and  small  birds  of  various  kinds  ;  and  when  these  resources 
fail  or  diminish,  they  occasionally  prowl  pretty  boldly  around  the  farm- 
yard in  quest  of  chickens,  which  they  seize  on  the  roost. 

My  own  records  of  sixteen  examinations  of  Great  Horned  Owls,  which, 
with  one  exception,  were  all  taken  during  the  winter  months,  revealed 
in  eleven  individuals  only  remains  of  poultry ;  two  others,  portions  of 
rabbits,  and  of  the  three  remaining  birds  of  this  series  it  was  found  that 
one  had  taken  two  mice  ;  another  showed  small  amount  of  hair,  appar- 
ently that  of  an  opossum.  The  sixteenth  and  last  bird  contained  a 
mouse  and  parts  of  beetles. 

GENUS  NYCTEA    STEPHENS. 
Nyctea  nyctea  (LiNN.). 

Snowy  Owl. 

DESCRIPTION  {Plate  88). 

Length  from  20  to  24  inches  :  extent  4£  to  5  feet ;  tail  between  9  and  10  inches  long; 
tarsi  and  toes  densely  covered  with  long  hair-like  feathers  ;  black  bill  almost  hidden 
by  long  feathers  ;  plumage  white,  with  brownish  or  blackish  spots  and  bars  ;  throat, 
face,  feet  and  middle  of  breast  whitest.  The  female  is  largest  and  much  darker  than 
male  ;  eyes  rather  small  and  yellow  ;  no  ear  tufts. 

Habitat. — Northern  portions  of  the  Northern  Hemisphere.  In  North  America, 
breeding  mostly  north  of  the  United  States  ;  in  winter  migrating  south  to  the  mid- 
dle states,  straggling  to  South  Carolina,  Texas  and  the  Bermudas. 

The  Snowy  Owl  rendered  so  conspicuous  by  its  large  size  and  white 
plumage  is  a  native  of  the  Arctic  regions.  This  owl  is  found  in  Penn- 
sylvania only  as  a  winter  visitant.  Although  specimens  are  taken  nearly 
every  winter,  this  species  is  most  frequently  observed  during  excessively 
severe  winters.  Usually  solitary  birds  are  observed,  but  sometimes 
parties  of  six,  eight  or  even  a  dozen  are  seen  together. 

Wilson  says :  "  Unlike  most  of  his  tribe  he  hunts  by  day  as  well  as  by 
twilight,  and  is  particularly  fond  of  frequenting  the  shores  and  banks 
of  shallow  rivers,  over  the  surface  of  which  he  slowly  sails,  or  sits  on  a 
rock  a  little  raised  above  the  water  watching  for  fish.  These  he  seizes 
with  a  sudden  and  instantaneous  stroke  of  the  foot,  seldom  missing  his 
aim."  Nuttall  writes :  "He  ventures  abroad  boldly  at  all  seasons,  and 
like  the  hawks,  seeks  his  prey  by  daylight  as  well  as  dark,  skimming 
aloft  and  reconnoitring  his  prey,  which  is  commonly  the  White  Grouse, 
or  some  other  birds  of  the  same  genus,  as  well  as  hares.  On  these  he 
darts  from  above,  and  rapidly  seizes  them  in  his  resistless  talons.  At 
times  he  watches  for  fish,  and  condescends  also  to  prey  upon  rats,  mice 
and  even  carrion." 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1 

Winter   1879 

Chester  county,  Pa  

Rabbit. 

Winter    1879 

Meat,  apparently  beef. 

J{ 

December  16    1885 

Delaware  county.  Pa  

Common  rat. 

BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  159 


GENUS  SURNIA    DUMEKIL. 
Surnia  ulula  caparoch  (MULL.). 

American  Hawk  Owl. 

DESCRIPTION. 

"General  form  rather  long  but  robust;  size  medium  ;  head  moderate,  without  ear 
tufts ;  facial  disc  obsolete  ;  legs  rather  short  and  densely  feathered  to  toes ;  winers 
rather  long  ;  first,  four  quills  incised  on  inner  webs  ;  tail  long  with  its  central  feath- 
ers about  two  inches  longer  than  the  outer.  Upper  parts  fuliginous  brown,  with  num- 
erous partially  concealed  circular  spots  on  the  neck  behind  scapulars  and  wing- 
coverts.  Face  grayish-white  ;  throat  white  with  longitudinal  stripes  of  dark  brown; 
a  large  brown  spot  on  each  side  of  breast ;  other  under  parts  with  transverse  lines 
or  stripes  of  pale  ashy-brown  ;  quills  and  tail  brown,  with  bands  of  white  ;  bill  pale 
yellowish  ;  iris  yellow.  Color  of  upper  parts  darker  on  head,  and  the  white  mark- 
ings more  or  less  numerous  in  different  specimens."  (Length  15  to  17|  inches ;  ex- 
tent about  33  ;  tail  7  or  little  less.)—  B.  B.  of  N.  A. 

Habitat. — Arctic  America,  migrating  in  winter  to  the  northern  border  of  the  United 
States.  Occasional  in  England. 

This  curious  bird  partakes  of  the  general  appearance,  and  also  the 
habits,  of  both  a  hawk  and  an  owl,  and  is  said  to  be  principally  diurnal. 

Very  rare  and  irregular  winter  visitor  from  the  north.  Joseph  Krider 
has  a  specimen  captured  some  few  years  ago,  near  Philadelphia,  in  mid- 
winter. 

Messrs.  B.  C.  Wrenshall,  Allegheny  county,  J.  F.  Kitcham,  Bradford 
county,  and  J.  G.  Bohn,  report  the  capture  of  stragglers. 


ORDER  COCCYGES.  CUCKOOS. 

SUBORDER  CUCULI.     CUCKOOS. 
FAMILY  CUCULID-ffi.     CUCKOOS,  ANIS 

THE  CUCKOOS. 

Two  species  of  this  family  are  found  in  Pennsylvania  as  summer  residents.  These, 
the  Black  and  Yellow-balled  Cuckoos,  can  be  recognized  by  the  following  characters: 
Bill  curved,  black  or  yellow,  and  about  as  long  as  head.  Tail,  often  graduated,  with 
spotted  and  long  feathers  ;  loral  feathers  soft ;  four  toes  arranged  in  pairs,  the  outer 
versatile  and  directed  somewhat  laterally  ;  feet  are  weak  ;  chiefly  arboreal  in  habits. 
A  specimen  of  the  Ani  (Crotophacja  am,  Linn.),  a  species  which  inhabits  the  West 
Indies  and  eastern  South  America,  was  taken  near  Philadelphia,  September,  1849. 


160  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


SUBFAMILY  COCCYGIN./E.    AMERICAN  CUCKOOS. 

GENUS  COCCYZUS  VIEILLOT. 
Coccyzus  americanus  (LiNN.). 

Yellow-billed  Cuckoo ;  Rain  Crow  ;  Row-bird. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  89}. 

Length  about  12  inches ;  extent  about  15^ ;  tail  about  6|  ;  upper  mandible,  except 
edges,  which  are  yellow  like  the  lower,  and  tip  of  latter  yellow.  Above  grayish- 
olive  with  metallic  reflections  ;  below  white  ;  middle  tail  feathers  longest  and  like 
back,  rest  black  with  white  tips,  each  spot  being  about  one  inch  long ;  iris  brown  ; 
naked  legs  bluish. 

Habitat. — Temperate  North  America,  from  New  Brunswick,  Canada,  Minnesota, 
Nevada  and  Oregon  south  to  Costa  Rica  and  the  West  Indies.  Less  common  from 
the  eastern  border  of  the  plains  westward. 

This  species  is  easily  known  by  the  yellow  under  mandible,  the  broadly 
white-tipped  tail  feathers  and  the  bright  cinnamon  markings  of  the 
wings.  The  Yellow-billed  Cuckoo,  a  common  summer  resident,  arrives 
in  Pennsylvania  about  the  last  week  in  April,  and  returns  generally  to 
its  southern  winter  resorts  by  the  latter  part  of  September.  The  com- 
mon names  of  Rain  Crow  and  Kow-bird  given  to  both  the  Yellow  and 
Black-billed  Cuckoos  arise  from  their  peculiar  and  loud  gutteral  notes 
of  Kow,  Kow,  which  are,  it  is  said,  most  clamorous  at  the  approach  of 
rain.  Both  species  are  also  known  in  some  sections  of  this  state  by  the 
name  of  Indian  Hen.  The  cuckoos  are  much  more  frequently  heard 
than  seen,  unless  it  is  at  times  when  they  dart  from  one  tree  to  another, 
or  into  the  thick  foliage  of  bushes.  The  nest  of  this  species  is  loosely 
built  of  small  sticks  lined  with  grasses,  and  placed  usually  on  the  low 
limb  of  a  tree ;  sometimes,  however,  it  is  found  in  thick  bushes.  The 
eggs,  generally  two  or  four,  are  light  greenish-blue  in  color  and  meas- 
ure about  1.24  inches  in  length,  and  about  .90  of  an  inch  in  width. 
Writing  of  this  species  Audubon  says :  "  It  robs  smaller  birds  of  their 
eggs,  which  it  sucks  on  all  occasions,  and  is  cowardly  and  shy,  without 
being  vigilant.  On  this  latter  account  it  often  falls  a  prey  to  several 
species  of  hawks,  of  which  the  Pigeon  Hawk  may  be  considered  as  its 
most  dangerous  enemy.  It  prefers  the  southern  states  for  its  residence, 
and  when  very  mild  winters  occur  in  Louisiana,  some  individuals  remain 
there,  not  finding  it  necessary  to  go  farther  south.  They  feed  on  in- 
sects, such  as  caterpillars  and  butterflies,  as  well  as  on  berries  of  many 
kinds,  evincing  a  special  prediliction  for  the  mulberry.  In  autumn  they 
eat  many  grapes.  They  now  and  then  descend  to  the  ground  to  pick 
up  a  wood-snail  or  a  beetle." 

According  to  Wilson  the  diet  of  this  species  consists  for  the  most  part 
of  caterpillars,  particularly  such  as  infest  apple  trees.  They  also  eat 
various  kinds  of  berries,  but  from  the  circumstances  of  destroying  such 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


161 


numbers  of  very  noxious  larvae,  they  prove  themselves  the  friends  of  the 
farmer  and  are  highly  deserving  of  his  protection. 

In  the  stomachs  of  nine  of  these  birds  I  found  the  following  food  ma- 
terials : 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1 
1 

4 

5 

July  15,  1879  
July  15.  1879  
June  5.  1880  
June  ft.  1880  
June  ft  1880, 

West  Bradford.  Pa  
Pocopson,  Pa.,  
Chester  county,  Pa  
Chester  county,  Pa  
Chester  county.  Pa  

Grasshoppers  and  snails  (helix). 
Beetles  (on  apple  tree). 
Caterpillars  (feeding  in  apple  orchard), 
Caterpillars  and  fragments  of  beetles. 
Caterpillars. 

6 

May  26.  1883  
June  1  1883 

West  Chester,  Pa  
Pocapson,  Pa  

Beetles. 
Stomach  gorged  with   insects,  chiefly  cater- 

8 
'.» 

June  1.  1883  
July  26,  1883  

Pocopson.  Pa  
Chester  county,  Pa  

pillars  (feeding  in  locust  trees). 
Many  caterpillars  and  fragments  of  beetles 
(feeding  in  locust  trees). 
Berries. 

Coccyzus  erythrophthalmus  (WILS.)- 

Black-billed  Cuckoo  ;  Rain  Crow  ;  Kow-bird. 

DESCRIPTION    (Plate  89). 

Size  about  same  as  Yellow-billed  species  ;  bill  entirely  black  (bluish-black  about 
base  of  lower  mandible).  Above  bronzy  grayish -brown,  with  greenish  tint ;  below- 
white  tinged  with  grayish  and  traces  of  yellowish  especially  on  fore-parts;  naked 
eyelids  bright  red.  Tail  feathers  with  very  small  white  tips  ;  eyes  brown  ;  legs  pale 
bluish  lead  color. 

Habitat.— Eastern  North  America,  from  Labrador  and  Manitoba  south  to  the  West 
Indies  and  the  valley  of  the  Amazon  ;  west  to  the  Rocky  mountains.  Accidental  in 
the  British  Islands  and  Italy. 

This  species  is  found  in  Pennsylvania  only  as  a  summer  resident.  It 
arrives  generally  a  few  days  after  the  Yellow-billed  has  made  its  appear- 
ance, and  returns  to  its'  southern  winter  resorts  about  two  weeks,  Audu- 
bon  says,  earlier  than  the  Yellow-billed  Cuckoo. 

In  February,  1885,  I  saw  several  of  these  birds  in  the  Florida  orange 
orchards.  The  nest,  a  frail  structure  of  twigs,  bark,  and  in  some  in- 
stances blossoms  of  different  plants,  is  placed  on  alow  tree  or  bush.  The 
eggs,  usually  two  or  four,  are  mostly  a  trifle  smaller  and  darker  in  color 
than  those  of  the  Yellow-billed  Cuckoo.  Both  species,  according  to  my 
observation,  always  build  their  own  nests,  and  never,  like  the  Cow  Bunting, 
deposit  their  eggs  in  the  nests  of  other  birds.  The  Rain  Crows  are  ex- 
tremely cowardly,  and  if  attacked  by  any  of  their  feathered  neighbors, 
whose  nests  they  sometimes  pillage,  they  immediately  fly  off  and  con- 
ceal themselves  in  the  dusky  retreats  of  a  tree  or  bush.  In  relation  to 
this  bird,  Audubon  says  :  "  The  flight  of  this  species  is  swifter  than  that 
of  its  near  relative,  the  Yellow-billed  Cuckoo,  for  which  bird  it  is  easily 
mistaken  by  ordinary  observers.  It  does  not  so  much  frequent  the  in- 
terior of  woods,  but  appears  along  their  margins,  on  the  edges  of  creeks 
and  damp  places.  The  most  remarkable  distinction,  however,  between 
this  species  and  the  Yellow-billed  Cuckoo  is,  that  the  former,  instead  of 
11  BIRDS. 


162  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA, 


feeding-  principally  on  insects  and  fruits,  procures  fresh-water  shell-fish 
and  aquatic  larvae  for  its  sustenance.  It  is,  therefore,  more  frequently 
seen  on  the  ground,  near  the  edges  of  the  water,  or  descending  along 
the  drooping  branches  of  trees  to  their  extremities,  to  seize  the  insects 
in  the  water  beneath  them."  In  the  adult  plumage  the  Yellow-billed  and 
the  Black-billed  Cuckoos,  when  flying,  can  be  distinguished,  if  you  bear  in 
mind  that  in  the  former  the  long  tail  feathers,  with  large  white  tips,  are 
very  conspicuous  ;  on  the  other  hand,  the  white  tips  on  the  tail  feathers 
of  the  Black-billed  are  not  well  marked.  This  bird,  as  well  as  the  Yel- 
low-billed Cuckoo,  I  have  observed,  subsists  largely  on  the  tent  cater- 
pillars, which  are  so  numerous  at  times  on  our  various  fruit  and  shade 
trees.  It  also  feeds  on  beetles,  grasshoppers,  snails  and  earth-worms. 

SUBORDER  ALCYONES.     KINGFISHERS. 
FAMILY  ALCEDINID^E.     KINGFISHERS. 

GENUS  CERYLE  BOIE. 
Ceryle  alcyon  (LiNN.). 

Belted  Kingfisher. 

PESCBIPTION    (Plate  20"). 

Length  about  13  inches  ;  extent  of  wings  about  22  inches. 

Bill  long,  straight  and  sharp ;  legs  small ;  outer  and  middle  toes  united  to  their 
middle  ;  head  has  long  crest ;  plumage  of  upper  parts,  dull  leaden  blue,  more  or  less 
streaked  with  black  ;  feathers  of  sides,  wings,  and  broad  band  across  breast,  dull  blue 
like  back  ;  spot  in  front  of  eye,  white  ;  tail  with  transverse  bands  and  white  spots. 
Female  similar  but  barred  across  belly,  and  feathers  on  sides  reddish-brown. 

Habitat. — North  America,  south  to  Panama  and  the  West  Indies. 

Kingiishers  are  common  along-  our  rivers,  streams  and  ponds,  about 
which  they  are  found  at  all  seasons,  unless  forced  to  migrate  southward 
by  excessively  cold  weather.  The  loud  and  harsh  cry  of  this  bird,  as 
Wilson  has  properly  stated,  is  not  unlike  the  noise  made  by  twirling  a 
watchman's  rattle.  "It  is  uttered  while  moving-  from  place  to  place, 
always  on  being  disturbed,  and  even  sometimes  when  he  is  about  to 
plunge  into  the  water  for  a  fish.  But  especially  it  is  heard  at  night 
when  the  male  bird  is  returning  to  the  nest  with  food  for  his  mate  and 
young." — Gentry.  Their  eggs  are  deposited  in  holes  which  they  exca- 
vate in  the  sides  of  banks,  usually  about  the  streams  and  ponds  they 
frequent.  On  many  occasions,  I  have  discovered  their  nests  in  high  em- 
bankments along  public  roads,  railroad  cuts  and  old  quarries.  The  ex- 
cavations vary  greatly  in  depth,  but  average  about  four  or  five  feet ;  oc- 
casionally you  find  one  straight,  commonly,  however,  they  are  directed 
to  the  right  or  left  of  the  main  opening  and  terminate  in  quite  a  large 
cavity.  The  eggs  (1.30  by  LOG  inches)  are  white  and  usually  sixinnuiu- 


Plate  39. 


Cedar  Bird,  or  Cedar  Wax- wing. 
1.  Male;  2.  Female. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


163 


her,  although  I  have  in  several  instances  seen  seven.  The  eggs,  accord- 
ing to  my  observation,  are  invariably  deposited  on  the  bare  earth.  Mr. 
Gentry,  however,  tell  us  that  he  has  "in  many  instances  known  them  to 
b<>  deposited  in  a  warm  and  cosy  nest  constructed  of  dried  grasses  and 
feathers."  Kingfishers  feed  almost  entirely  on  fish.  Their  proficiency 
in  catching  small  fish  is  such  that  they  are  in  bad  repute  among  the 
owners  and  proprietors  of  trout  and  carp  ponds.  Two  gentlemen  of  my 
acquaintance  were  so  greatly  annoyed  by  the  loss  of  gold-fish  and  trout, 
which  had  been  sustained  from  the'regular  visits  of  several  pairs  of  these 
birds,  that  they  adopted  the  following  means  for  their  destruction : 
Stakes  were  driven  down  about  the  ponds  in  several  places ;  the  tops  of 
the  stakes  were  sufficiently  large  to  support  steel-traps,  which  were  set, 
but  not  baited.  The  birds  on  visiting  the  ponds  would  invariably  fly  to 
one  of  the  stakes  and  alight.  In  less  than  one  week  ten  or  twelve  king- 
fishers were  in  this  way  trapped  and  killed.  A  friend  of  mine,  some  few 
years  ago,  informed  me  that  he  caught  one  of  these  birds  on  a  hook  and 
line,  while  fishing  in  the  Brandywine,  near  Chadd's  Ford.  My  infor- 
mant said  he  had  a  live  bait  (minnow)  on  his  hook,  and  as  he  was  wind- 
ing up  his  line  on  the  reel,  he  saw  a  kingfisher  plunge  into  the  water 
at  his  bait,  which  it  not  only  caught,  but  at  the  same  time  hooked 
and  entangled  itself  so  that  it  could  not  escape.  One  day  B.  M. 
Everhart  found  a  kingfisher  lying  on  the  bank  of  a  small  stream.  On 
making  an  investigation,  Mr.  Everhart  ascertained  that  the  bird  was 
unable  to  fly,  as  its  bill  was  tightly  clasped  in  the  grasp  of  a  large  fresh- 
water mussel.  I  have  heard  of  two  or  three  instances  where  kingfishers 
have  been  captured  under  similar  circumstances,  which  would  naturally 
lead  one  to  suppose  that  they  feed  to  a  limited  degree  on  the  flesh  of 
these  bivalves. 

According  to  certain  writers,  this  species  is  said  to  feed  occasionally, 
though  rarely,  on  insects.  Mr.  E.  A.  Samuels  states  that  he  once  shot 
a  kingfisher  which  had  just  seized  a  mouse  (Arvicola). 

The  stomach  contents  of  fourteen  kingfishers  examined  by  myself  are 
given  in  the  following  table: 


NO.  ! 


DATE. 


LOCALITY 


FOOD-MATERIALS. 


1 

2 
ii 
4 

Feb.    3,  1879.    . 
Feb.  26.  1879  
June  11,  1880  
Aug.  20.  1880  
Mar.    3.  1881  

Chester  countv  .  Pa  
Newark,  Del  
Chester  county.  Pa  
Chester  county.  Pa  
Chester  county,  Pa  

Remains  offish. 
Remains  of  fish. 
Remains  offish. 
Remains  of  fish. 
Remains  of  fish. 

B 

8 
9 
10 
11 

Apr.  26,  1881,       .    .    . 
Sept.  11.  1881  
Nov.  28,  1882,       . 
Apr.  20,  1882  
May  30.  1882,       .    .    . 
Aug.  27.  1883  

Chester  county,  Pa  
Chester  county,  Pa  
Chester  county.  Pa  
Chester  county,  Pa.       .'  
Chester  county,  Pa  
Delaware  county.  Pa  

Remains  of  fish. 
Remains  of  fish. 
Remains  of  fish. 
Remains  of  fish. 
Remains  of  fish. 
Remains  of  fish. 

12 
13 
14 

Apr.     1.  1884  
July  20.  1885  
Dec.    3.  1889  

Chester  county.  Pa  
Chester  county.  Pa  
Dauphin  county,  Pa  

Remains  of  fish. 
Remains  of  fish. 
Fish  scales  and  bones 

164  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


ORDER  PICL    WOODPECKERS,  ETC. 

FAMILY  PICID^S.     WOODPECKERS. 

THE  WOODPECKERS. 

Of  this  family  there  are,  Dr.  Coues  states,  nearly  two  hundred  and  fifty  well  deter- 
mined species  ot  all  parts  of  the  world,  except  Madagascar,  Australia  and  Polynesia. 
In  all  parts  of  the  United  States,  about  two  dozen  species,  and  many  varieties 
("  races  "  )  are  given  by  different  writers.  I  have  found  in  Pennsylvania  only  seven 
species  of  the  Woodpeckers,  viz  :  The  Hairy,  Downy,  Yellow-bellied,  Pileated,  Red- 
headed, Red-bellied  and  the  Flicker.  The  Red-cockaded  Woodpecker  if  now  found 
here,  occurs  only  as  a  straggler,  and  the  Arctic  Three-toed  Woodpecker  (Picoides 
arcticus}  has  not  been  observed  in  Pennsylvania,  so  far  as  I  can  learn,  for  many 
years,  probably  not  since  Audubon  met  with  it  in  the  forests  of  the  Pocono  mount- 
ains, Monroe  county.  I  can  get  no  positive  evidence  that  the  American  Three-toed 
Woodpecker  (Picoides  americanus,  Brehm.)  has  been  captured  here,  although 
a  straggler  is  said  to  have  been  taken,  some  years  ago  (winter),  in  the  mount- 
ains. The  Pileated,  Hairy  and  Downy  are  resident,  being  found  in  nearly  all 
parts  of  the  commonwealth.  The  Pileated,  of  course,  is  rare  or  not  found  at 
all,  in  thickly  settled  districts  or  sparsely  wooded  regions.  The  Red-headed 
and  Flicker  are  common  breeders  and  in  many  parts  of  the  state,  especially 
southward,  they  are  resident ;  but  never  as  abundant  in  winter  as  in  the  sum- 
mer season.  The  Red-bellied  and  Yellow-bellied  are  found  with  us,  chiefly, 
during  migrations  ;  and  they  breed  in  some  localities.  Lumbermen  and  hunters 
in  the  mountainous  regions  know  the  Pileated  Woodpecker  as  ''Woodcock" 
or  "Big-wood  Picker."  The  Hairy  and  Downy  Woodpeckers  are  improperly 
termed,  almost  universally,  by  farmers,  fruit-growers  and  sportsmen,  "  Sapsuckers." 
The  Redhead  is  usually  particularized  by  his  proper  vernacular  name,  and  the 
Flicker  is  called  by  many  High-holder  and  Golden-wing.  The  other  species,  occurr- 
ing here,  do  not  appear  to  be  designated  by  any  particular  names  by  the  casual  ob- 
server. Although  woodpeckers  make  no  efforts  to  build  nests  as  other  birds  gene- 
rally do,  they  nevertheless  prepare  with  great  care  and  labor  equally  suitable  recep- 
tacles for  their  eggs  and  young.  Woodpeckers  lay  their  eggs,*  which  are  white,  and 
usually  number  from  four  to  six,  on  chips  and  bits  of  rotten  wood  in  cavities  which 
they  excavate  with  their  powerful  and  chisel-like  or  wedge-shaped  bills,  in  the  dead 
limbs  or  trunks  of  trees.  These  holes  or  nesting  places — oftentimes  dug  to  a  con- 
siderable depth — at  the  mouth  are  often  just  sufficiently  large  to  permit  the  birds  to 
readily  pass  in  and  out  ;  from  the  entrance  downward  the  diameter  of  these  wooden 
burrows  increase  in  size.  The  tongue  of  all  our  woodpeckers,  with  one  exception,  viz  : 
the  Yellow-bellied,  is  capable  of  being  protruded  beyond  the  point  of  the  bill  to  a  con- 
siderable extent.  The  corn.ua  or  horns  of  the  tongue  extending  backward,  curl  up 
over  the  back  of  the  skull ;  these  horns  are  enveloped  in  muscles  by  the  action  of  which 
the  tongue  is  thrust  out.  This  singular  arrangement  can  easily  be  demonstrated  by 
simply  taking  hold  of  the  end  of  the  tongue  of  a  Flicker  we  will  say,  and  as  you  move 
it  backward  and  forward  place  a  finger  on  the  top  of  the  bird's  head,  and  at  once  a  pecu- 
liar, worm-like  movement  will  be  discovered  as  the  horns  run  back  and  forth  between 
the  skin  and  bony  covering  of  the  head,  beneath  your  finger.  The  end  of  the  tongue 
in  woodpeckers,  other  than  the  species  above  mentioned,  is  generally  furnished  on 
either  side  with  little  barbs,  very  similar  in  appearance  to  those  found  on  small  fish- 
hooks. In  the  Yellow-bellied  Woodpecker  the  horns  of  the  hyoid  bone  extend  only 

*  The  following  measurements  will  show  about  the  average  size  of  species  which  breed  In  this  State  : 
Hairy  Woodpecker,  about  1  inch  long  and  a  little  less  than  3  wide.  Downy  Woodpecker,  about  .80  of  an 
inch  long  by  about  .65  wide.  Pileated  Woodpecker  about  1.25  of  an  inch  long  by  1  Inch  wide.  Red- 
headed Woodpecker,  a  little  over  1  inch  long  and  about  .85  of  an  Inch  in  width.  Flicker,  about  1 .  in  long 
and  .90  wide.  Red-bellied  about  1.00  long  by  about  .80  wide.  Yellow-bellied  .HO  long  by  .C8  wide. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  165 


to  the  base  of  the  skull,  hence  the  tongue  is  capable  of  but  little  extensibility ;  in 
place  of  the  barbs  commonly  seen,  we  find  the  end  quite  abundantly  provided  with 
"numerous  bushy  filaments."  The  peculiar  structure  of  their  feet  and  sharp  nails 
enable  them  by  the  additional  support  of  the  rigid  tail,  to  ascend  the  trunks  and 
limbs  of  trees  with  singular  address  and  celerity,  either  in  straight  or  spiral  lines. 
From  « 'Cones'  Key  to  North  American  Birds"— a  most  valuable  work  and  one 
which  deserves  a  place  in  the  library  of  all  who  desire  to  thoroughly  acquaint  them- 
selves with  our  feathered  fauna— the  following  extract  relative  to  these  birds  is  taken  : 
"Species  are  abundant  in  all  the  wooded  portion  of  this  country  and  wherever  found 
are  nearly  resident.  For,  although  insectivorous,  they  feed  principally  upon  dor- 
mant or  at  least  stationary  insects,  and  therefore  need  not  migrate  ;  they  are,  more- 
over, hardy  birds.  They  dig  insects  and  their  larvae  out  of  trees,  and  are  eminently 
beneficial  to  the  agriculturist  and  fruit-grower.  Contrary  to  prevalent  impression, 
their  boring  does  not  seem  to  injure  fruit  trees,  which  may  be  riddled  with  holes 
without  harmful  results.  The  number  of  noxious  insects  these  birds  destroy  is 
simply  incalculable  ;  what  little  fruit  some  of  them  steal  is  not  to  be  mentioned  in 
the  same  connection,  and  they  deserve  the  good  will  of  all.  The  birds  of  the  genus 
Sphyrapicus  are  probably  an  exception  to  most  of  these  statements.  But  wood- 
peckers also  feed  largely  upon  nuts,  berries  and  other  fruits  ;  and  those  which  thus 
vary  their  fare  to  the  greatest  extent  are  apt  to  be  more  or  less  migratory,  like  the 
common  Red-head  for  example.  Woodpeckers  rarely,  if  ever,  climb  head  down- 
ward, like  Nuthatches,  nor  are  the  tarsi  applied  to  their  support." 

The  notes  of  these  birds,  uttered  when  on  the  wing,  likewise  when  at  rest,  are 
loud  and  unmusical.  Woodpeckers,  with  the  exception  of  the  Flicker,  are  not 
usually  observed  to  alight  on  the  ground.  Insects  which  lie  under  the  bark  are 
readily  discovered  by  the  woodpecker,  who  gives  a  sharp  tap  with  his  bill,  and  then 
placing  his  head  close  to  the  tree,  listens  attentively  to  hear  the  movements  of  his 
favorite  prey.  As  soon  as  he  discovers  a  beetle  or  a  grub  moving  in  its  snug  retreat 
the  bark  or  other  covering  of  the  luckless  insect  is  torn  away  and  the  crawling  crea- 
ture is  captured. 

The  large  chisel-like  bill,  the  stiff  tail-feathers,  which  gradually  taper  to  a  point, 
the  two  toes  in  front  and  two  behind  (birds  of  the  genus  Picoides  have  hallux  or  first 
toe  absent)  will  suffice  to  enable  you  to  recognize  a  woodpecker.  Tail-feathers  12  in 
number,  the  outer  pair  very  small  and  hidden  by  the  larger. 


GENUS  DRYOBATES  BOIE. 
Dryobates  villosus  ( LINN.). 

Hairy  Woodpecker ;  Sapsucker. 

DESCRIPTION  {Plate  76). 

Length  about  9|  inches  ;  extent  about  15  ;  male  has  hind  head  red  ;  female  has  no 
red.  Top  of  head,  sides  of  same,  and  back  black,  the  latter  with  a  long  whitish 
stripe  ;  quills  and  wing-coverts  with  numerous  white  spots  ;  four  middle  tail  feath- 
ers black,  next  partly  black,  and  four  outer  feathers  white ;  below  white ;  young 
duller  and  top  of  head,  especially  in  front,  reddish  or  bronzy. 

Habitat.— Middle  portion  of  the  eastern  United  States,  from  the  Atlantic  coast  to 
the  great  plains. 

The  Hairy  Woodpecker  is  found  in  Pennsylvania  at  all  seasons  of  the 
year.  It  is  quite  plentiful,  but  in  many  sections,  and  probably  through- 
out the  state,  is  less  abundant  than  the  Downy  Woodpecker.  The 
Hairy  Woodpeckers,  generally  shy  and  somewhat  difficult  to  approach, 
are  found  mostly  in  the  woods,  and  although  they  sometimes  when  in 


166 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


quest  of  food  visit  the  trees  in  orchards  and  yards,  their  visits  to  these 
places  are  much  less  frequent  than  those  of  the  little  Downy. 

Both  the  Hairy  and  Downy  Woodpeckers  are  called  "  Sap  suckers' 
by  those  who  are  unacquainted  with  birds,  from  the  common  belief  that 
both  subsist  largely  on  the  sap  of  apple  and  other  fruit  trees.  This 
popular,  yet  mistaken  idea,  has  induced  many  farmers  and  fruit-growers 
to  destroy  these  two  species,  as  well  as  other  woodpeckers,  when  found 
about  their  orchards. 

Wilson  refers  to  this  bird  as  "  a  haunter  of  orchards  and  lover  of  apple 
trees,  an  eager  hunter  of  insects,  their  eggs  and  larvae  in  old  stumps 
and  old  rails,  in  rotten  branches  and  crevices  of  the  bark.''  "  The  food 
of  this  species  consists  principally  of  the  eggs  and  larvae  of  injurious 
insects  that  are  burrowing  in  the  wood  of  our  fruit  and  forest  trees ; 
these  he  is  enabled  to  obtain  by  chiseling  out  a  small  hole  with  his 
powerful  bill,  and  drawing  them  from  their  lurking  places  with  his  long 
barbed  tongue.  He  also  eats  some  small  fruits  and  berries,  but  never, 
so  far  as  I  am  aware,  the  buds  or  blossoms  of  trees,  as  some  persons 
assert." — E.  A.  Samuels. 

The  food  materials  of  nine  of  these  woodpeckers  examined  by  me  are 
mentioned  below : 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1 

Nov.  —  ,  1879, 

Chester  county,  Pa 

Seeds  of  berries 

2 
3 
4 
5 

April  It,  1880  
June  13.  1880  
Dec.  20,  1880  
Jan.  28,  1881. 

Newark,  Delaware  
Chester  county,  Pa  
Chester  county,  Pa  
Chester  county,  Pa 

Larvae  and  beetles. 
Spiders  and  dipterous  insects. 
Small  seeds  and  particles  of  Indian  corn. 
Beetles 

6 

7 

Mar.  10,  1881  
Sept.  13.  1881 

Chester  county.  Pa  
Chester  county    Pa 

Numerous  insects. 

8 
9 

May  18,  1883  
Mar.  26.  1884  

Chester  county,  Pa  
Chester  county,  Pa  

Black  ants,  diptera  and  beetles 
Beetles  and  larvae. 

Dryobates  pubescens  (Lnrar ). 

I>owny  Woodpecker ;  Sapsucker. 

DESCRIPTION  (  Plate  7tf). 

Length  about  63  inches  ;  extent  about  IV2  ;  outer  tail  feathers  barred  with  black 
and  white,  otherwise  same  in  color  as  D.  villosus. 

Habitat. — Northern  and  eastern  North  America,  from  British  Columbia  and  the 
eastern  edge  of  the  plains  northward  and  eastward. 

This  indefatigable  little  insect  hunter,  the  smallest  of  all  our  wood- 
peckers, is  a  common  resident  in  Pennsylvania.  The  timid  disposition 
so  frequently  noticed  in  the  preceding  species  is  rarely,  if  ever,  shown 
by  the  Downy  Woodpeckers,  which,  at  all  seasons,  are  found  frequent 
ing  our  shade  and  fruit  trees,  and  not  unfrequently  these  little  feathered 
carpenters  may  be  observed  excavating  nesting  places  in  trees  close  to 
the  habitations  of  man.  Downy  Woodpeckers,  subsist  chiefly  on  various 
forms  of  insects,  and  when  this  food  becomes  scarce  they  feed  often- 
times on  the  seeds  of  grasses  and  some  few  other  plants;  also,  small 


Plate  40. 


Red-eyed  Vireo. 
Male. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


167 


fruits,  such  as  wild  grapes,  cedar  berries,  etc.  In  the  winter  months  I 
have  seen  these  woodpeckers,  also  Tufted  Titmice  and  White-bellied 
Nuthatches,  feed  with  apparent  relish  on  pieces  of  fat  beef  and  pork, 
which  had  been  suspended  in  trees  or  nailed  to  grape-arbors  for  their 
benefit.  The  kernels  of  walnuts,  shell-barks  and  other  nuts  that  I  have 
placed  in  trees  were  likewise  eaten  by  both  the  woodpecker  and  nut- 
hatch. 

The  stomach  contents  of  ten  Downy  Woodpeckers  taken  in  Pennsylva- 
nia, and  examined  by  the  author  and  Mr.  Benjamin  M.  Everhart,  of 
West  Chester,  are  given  in  the  following-  table : 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1 

Feb.    20.  1880,  . 

East  Bradford,  Pa  

Larv*. 

2 
3 

Feb.    20.  1880  
Mar      6    1880 

East  Bradford,  Pa.  ,   .      ... 
East  Bradford    Pa 

Beetles  and  other  Insects. 

4 

May      1,  1880. 

WilHstown,   Pa.. 

Larvae. 

5 

| 

Sept.  25,  1880  
Sept.  24.  1880, 

East  Bradford,  Pa  
East  Bradford.  Pa 

Berries  and  '  '  grub  worms." 
'  '  Wood  grubs  " 

7 
8 

Nov.   20.  1884  
Nov.   20    1884, 

East  Bradford,  Pa  
East  Bradford    Pa 

Small  seeds  and  fragments  of  beetles. 

9 
10 

Dec.    20,  1884  
May    23,  1885  

West  Chester,  Pa  
Chester  county,  Pa  

Insects,  chiefly  beetles. 
Larvae. 

Dryobates  borealis  (VIEILL.). 

Red-cockaded  Woodpecker. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Length  7|  to  8£  inches;  extent  about  14;  male  has  narrow  red  streak,  mostly  con- 
cealed by  black  feathers  above,  on  each  side  of  occiput  and  above  the  silky-white 
spaces  that  extend  from  under  and  back  of  eyes  ;  feathers  on  sides  of  lower  mandi- 
ble, those  about  nostrils,  chin,  throat,  middle  of  breast  and  central  part  of  abdomen, 
also  feathers  about  eye,  (except  in  front)  sides  of  head  and  neck,  white,  purest  about 
head.  A  black  streak,  connecting  with  black  lores,  runs  backward  under  the  showy 
white  cheek  patch;  top  of  head,  neck  behind  and  two  central  tail  leathers,  black  ; 
other  feathers  in  middle  part  of  tail,  black,  with  white  bars,  and  the  outer  tail 
feathers  are  white,  barred  especially  on  inner  webs  with  black  ;  back  barred  with 
black  and  white ;  wings  brownish,  barred  with  white ;  iris  brown  ;  bill  and  legs 
(dried  skin)  blackish.  The  female  has  no  red  stripes  on  head. 

Habitat.—  Southeastern  United  States,  from  New  Jersey  (at  least  formerly),  Ten- 
nessee, and  Indian  Territory  south  to  eastern  Texas  and  the  Gulf  coast 

The  Red-cockaded  Woodpecker,  abundant  in  the  open  pine  woods  of 
Florida,  where  it  is  called  "  Sapsucker  "  by  some,  and  by  others  "  Pine- 
bark  Woodpecker,"  I  have  never  observed  in  this  state.  Reports — 
seventy  odd  in  number — which  have  been  sent  to  me  by  naturalists  and 
collectors  of  all  parts  of  the  state,  fail  to  show  that  it  occurs  anywhere 
in  our  commonwealth.  Dr.  Ezra  Michener,  in  his  catalogue  of  Chester 
County  Birds,  published  in  1863,  writes :  "  Red-cockaded  Woodpecker 
accidental ;  very  rare."  Thos.  G.  Gentry  (Life  Histories  of  Birds),  re- 
ferring to  this  species  says:  "  That  it  is  a  rare  visitant  in  eastern  Penn- 
sylvania cannot  be  doubted,  as  an  individual  was  taken  a  few  years 
since,  and  is  now  deposited  with  the  writer.  This  specimen  was  shot 
in  Delaware  county,  just  beyond  the  southern  border  of  Philadelphia." 


168  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


GENUS  SPHYRAPICUS  BAIRD. 
Sphyrapicus  varius  (LiNN.). 

Yellow-bellied  Sapsucker;  Yellow-bellied  \Vood pecker. 

DESCRIPTION  {Plate  77). 

Length  about  8|  inches  ;  extent  about  15 ;  male,  crown,  chin  and  throat  bright  red  ; 
female  has  chin  and  throat  white,  and  crown  mostly  red,  but  sometimes  black  ; 
breast,  both  sexes  black,  and  belly  yellow  ;  this  latter  color  brightest  in  young  birds. 
Upper  parts  varied  with  black,  yellowish  and  white  ;  broad  white  stripe  on  edge  of 
wing-coverts.  Tail  feathers  mostly  black,  except  inner  webs  of  middle  pair,  which 
are  mainly  white. 

Habitat.— North  America,  north  and  east  of  the  great  plains,  south  to  the  West 
Indies,  Mexico  and  Guatemala. 

The  Yellow-bellied  Woodpecker  breeds  from  the  northern  United 
States  northward,  and  although  found  breeding  in  this  state  (in  mount- 
ainous and  elevated  regions)  it  is  classed  with  our  rare  breeders.  Occa- 
sionally a  few  of  these  birds  are  found  here  in  winter.  Generally  speak- 
ing, however,  the  Yellow-bellied  Woodpeckers  are  to  be  observed  as 
somewhat  common  spring  and  fall  migrants,  which  arrive  in  this  region 
early  in  April,  and  soon  disappear  to  return  again,  but  not  earlier  than 
the  last  week  in  September.  During  their  visits  in  the  spring  these 
birds  are  much  less  abundant  than  in  the  autumn,  and  are  seen  prin- 
cipally in  the  woods,  although  I  have,  in  many  instances,  observed  them 
in  apple  orchards.  While  they  sojourn  with  us  in  the  fall,  they  evince 
a  strong  disposition  to  frequent  apple  trees ;  often  as  many  as  six  or 
eight  of  these  birds  can  be  secured  in  a  small  orchard.  All  woodpeck- 
ers have  a  common  habit  of  hiding  behind  limbs,  or  sometimes  in  holes, 
etc.,  as  you  approach  a  tree  on  which  they  are  feeding,  and  usually  they 
continually  shift  their  positions  to  escape  notice.  When  hunting-  in 
apple  orchards,  particularly  in  the  fall,  I  have  repeatedly  seen  the  Yel- 
low-bellied Woodpecker  slip  behind  a  limb,  and  remain  perfectly  mo- 
tionless, as  if  he  understood  that  the  color  of  his  back,  not  unlike  the 
general  appearance  of  the  bark  or  lichens,  against  which  he  rested, 
might  aid  him  in  eluding  observation.  Oftentimes  I  have  made  two  or 
three  circuits  about  trees  where  these  birds  were  thus  hiding,  and  gen- 
erally noticed  that  they  would  not  move  until  convinced  by  my  actions 
that  they  had  been  discovered.  Of  all  our  woodpeckers,  the  subject  of 
this  present  sketch,  is  probably  the  most  expert  in  capturing  insects  on 
the  wing ;  this  bird,  oftentimes,  like  the  Common  Pewee  or  other  fly- 
catchers, may  be  seen  to  start  from  a  limb  and  seize  its  passing  prey. 
This  bird,  like  the  Hairy  and  Downy  Woodpeckers,  is  frequently  seen 
clinging  to  the  small  twigs  of  various  trees  and  bushes  collecting  in- 
sects or  picking  at  berries.  The  Yellow-bellied  Woodpecker  is  the  only 
representative  of  the  genus  Sphyrapicus  found  east  of  the  Mississippi 
river;  two  species  and  one  sub-species  of  this  genus  occur  in  the  Rocky 
mountain  and  Pacific  coast  regions  of  the  United  States. 


Plate  41. 


Yellow  Warbler, 
t  Male;   2.  Female. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


169 


List  of  counties,  with  names  of  observers,  in  which  S.  varius  has  been 
found  breeding  or  during  migrations. 


COUNTY. 


OBSERVERS. 


HEMAKKS. 


Bradford.       .  .   . 

Do.  .  .    . 

Bucks 

Berks 

Cumberland.    .   . 

Chester 

Crawford.      .   .   . 

Clinton 

Cleartield.      .  .    . 

Cameron 

Columbia,  .  .    .   . 
Delaware.      .  .   . 

Erie 

Lackawanna. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Lehigh 

Lancaster.     .    .    . 

Do.  .  .   . 

Lycoming.     .  .    . 

McKean 

Northampton. 
Northumberland, 
Philadelphia,  .   . 

Do.  .   . 

Do.  .   . 

Somerset.       .   .    . 

Sullivan 

Union 

Venango 

Warren 

Wayne 

Westmoreland.  . 
Washington,     .    . 

Do. 

Do.                  .   . 
York 

Do 

Do.     . 


J.  L.  Camp.    .   .   . 

A.  J.  Lllley.  .  .  . 

B.  H.  Warren,      . 
D.  F.  Keller.     .  . 

T.  L.  Neff 

B.  H.  Warren.      . 
II.  C.  Kirkpatrick. 
Dr.  W.  Van  Fleet. 
Dr.  Van  Fleet.   .  . 
M.  M.  Larrabee.  . 
Dr.  MacCrea.     .   . 
B.  H.  Warren.     . 
Geo.  B.  Sennett. 
Geo.  P.  Friant.    . 
James  F.  Green. 
H.  W.  Williams. 
M.  J.  Webster.     . 
J.  F.  Kocher.    .   . 
Dr.   A.    C.    Treichler 

I  W.  H.  Buller,  .  . 
|  August  Kock.  .  . 
I  J.  A.  Teulon.  .  . 

Dr.  J.   W.    Detwille 
!  Dr.  W.  Van  Fleet. 

Rev.  Jos.  Johnson, 

Jos.  Price  Ball,    .  . 

H.  Jamison 

H.  D.  Moore.    M.  D 

Otto  Behr 

Dr.  W.  Van  Fleet. 

J.  H.  Robertson.    . 

H.  L.  Greenlund,    . 

N.  ¥.  Underwood. 

Chas.   H,    Townsend. 

M.  Compton 

W.  T.  Warrick.    .  .    . 

Jaa.  S.  Nease 

Geo.  Miller 

Casper  Loucks.    .  .   . 

Gerard  C.  Brown,  .   . 


Common  migrant:  probably  breeds. 

Rare  breeder;  common  migrant. 

Migrant;  common  in  fall. 

Migrant. 

Breeds. 

Migrant;  very  abundant  in  fall;   occasional  winter  resident. 
i  Breeds. 

Migrant. 
!  Migrant. 

Migrant;  most  abundant  in  fall. 
!  Migrant. 

Migrant;  abundant  in  fall  and  occasionally  seen  in  winter. 

Common  migrant;  think  it  breeds  occasionally. 

Migrant.* 

Migrant;  probably  breeds. 

Migrant;  sometimes  seen  in  summer. 

Migrant. 

Migrant. 

Migrant. 

Migrant. 

Migrant,  t 

Formerly  common  breeder:  now  quite  rare  as  native. 

Migrant. 

Migrant. 

Migrant. 

Migrant;  common  in  fall. 

Migrant. 
|  Migrant. 
i  Breeds. 

Migrant. 

Migrant. 

Breeds  sparingly  and  irregularly 

Migrant. 

Apparently  not  common. 

Migrant. 

Migrant. 

Migrant. 

Migrant, 

Migrant. 

Migrant. 


Gentry  says :  "  The  food  of  these  birds  is  less  of  an  insect  character 
than  that  of  any  other  of  the  Picarian  family.  Although  a  great  de- 
stroyer of  insects  in  their  most  destructive  stages,  yet  the  untold  mis- 
chief which  they  achieve  in  the  perforation  of  the  inner  bark  of  many 
trees  to  such  an  extent  as  to  kill  them,  fairly  outbalances  the  immense 
good  which  they  accomplish.  In  some  parts  of  Wisconsin,  this  destruc- 
tion is  perpetrated  on  a  grand  scale.  In  1868,  Dr.  Brewer,  in  company 
with  Dr.  Hoy,  visited  Racine,  and  witnessed  the  results  of  this  perf ora- 
tory process.  The  punctures  were  made  into  the  inner  bark  of  trees, 
and  were  so  close  together  that  the  bark  eventually  became  stripped  off, 
causing  a  complete  and  fatal  destruction  of  them.  In  one  garden,  all 
the  mountain-ash  and  white  pine  trees  were  entirely  killed." 

In  referring  to  these  sap-sucking  woodpeckers,  Dr.  Coues  says: 
"Birds  of  this  remarkable  genus  feed  much  upon  fruits,  as  well  as  in- 
sects, and  also  upon  soft  inner  bark  (cambium) ;  they  injure  fruit  trees 
by  stripping  off  the  bark,  sometimes  in  large  areas,  instead  of  simply 
boring  holes.  Of  the  several  species  commonly  called  *  Sapsuckers,' 

*  Yellow-bellied  Sapsuckers  have  been  very  common  the  last  two  seasons  ('88.  '89)  in  the  spring.  The 
city  (Scranton)  was  full  of  them;  some  killed  themselves  by  flying  against  windows.— Geo.  P.  Friunt 

t  S.  vnrius  arrives  early  in  spring,  is  then  quite  plenty;  disappears  soon,  however.  Know  of  one  in- 
stance where  it  bred.  This  bird  rarely  visits  our  orchards,  therefore  cannot  do  much  damage  to  any- 
thing. Amnixt  K»ck. 


170  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


they  alone  deserve  the  name.  In  declaring  war  against  woodpeckers, 
the  agriculturist  will  do  well  to  discriminate  between  this  somewhat 
injurious  and  the  highly  beneficial  species."  My  field  observations,  also 
the  post  mortem  examinations  of  some  twenty  odd  Yellow-bellied  Wood- 
peckers (taken  chiefly  during  the  fall  migrations),  lead  me  to  think  that, 
in  this  region,  these  birds  subsist  mainly  on  insects,  such  as  beetles, 
large  flies,  ants,  spiders  and  larvae.  In  the  viscera  of  specimens  taken 
in  the  late  autumn  and  winter,  I  have  found  sometimes  small  seeds  and 
berries.  In  the  stomachs  of  two  birds  which  were  shot  in  apple  trees,  I 
detected  a  small  amount  of  a  vegetable  substance,  which  may  have  been 
inner  bark.  On  one  occasion  I  opened  the  stomach  of  an  adult  male, 
taken  in  the  spring,  and  noticed  that  it  contained  a  considerable  quan- 
tity of  fluid,  of  a  yellowish  color ;  a  drop  of  this  fluid  touched  to  my 
tongue  was  found  to  be  exceedingly  sweet. 

GENUS  CEOPHLOEUS  CAB  AXIS. 
Ceophlceus  pileatus  (LiNN.)- 

Pileated  Woodpecker. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  70). 

Bill  blue-black,  lower  mandible  much  lighter  in  color  than  the  upper;  feet  and 
tarsi  in  dried  specimens  black  ;  iris  yellowish  ;  general  color  of  body,  wings  and  tail 
dull  black  ;  a  narrow  white  streak  from  just  above  the  eye  to  occiput,  a  wider  one 
fronl  the  nostril  feathers  (inclusive)  under  the  eye,  and  along  the  side  of  the  head 
and  neck;  side  of  the  breast  (concealed  by  the  wing),  axillaries,  and  under  wing- 
coverts,  and  concealed  bases  of  all  the  quills,  with  chin  and  beneath  the  head,  white, 
tinged  with  sulphur-yellow  ;  entire  crown,  from  the  base  of  the  bill  to  a  well-devel- 
oped occipital  crest,  as  also  a  patch  oil  the  ramus  of  the  lower  jaw,  scarlet-red  ;  a  few 
white  crescents  011  the  sides  of  the  body  and  on  the  abdomen.  Female  similar  to 
male,  but  without  red  on  the  cheek  and  only  the  back  part  of  crest  red. 

Length  about  18  inches  ;  extent  about  27  ;  wing  9|  inches. 

Habitat. — Formerly  whole  wooded  region  of  North  America ;  now  rare  or  extir- 
pated in  the  more  thickly  settled  parts  of  the  Eastern  States. 

This  bird,  the  largest  of  all  our  woodpeckers,  is  found  in  Pennsylva- 
nia at  all  seasons,  but  occurs  only  in  the  wooded  districts,  and  even  in 
most  of  these  secluded  localities  it  is  not  common.  In  April,  1885,  I 
found  a  nest  of  the  Pileated  Woodpecker  in  Orange  county,  Florida, 
where  this  species  is  exceedingly  numerous.  It  was  made  in  a  wild 
cherry  tree  growing  near  the  edge  of  an  orange  grove.  The  excavation, 
about  two  feet,  or  a  little  less,  in  depth,  was  made  in  a  dead  limb.  The 
entrance  to  the  nest  was  not  over  twelve  or  fifteen  feet  from  the  ground. 
The  glossy  white  eggs,  quite  small  for  the  size  of  the  bird,  were  re- 
moved when  three  had  been  deposited  on  a  few  chips  at  the  bottom  of 
the  opening.  As  the  mouth  of  the  cavity  had  been  somewhat  broken 
when  they  were  taken  out,  I  supposed  the  birds  would  desert  the  place, 
but,  about  one  week  later  I  visited  the  tree  and  saw  a  Pileated  Wood- 
pecker, which  I  judge  was  the  same  bird  that  had  been  robbed  by  me, 


PJRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


171 


at  work  in  this  cavity.  Having-  heard  the  bird  working,  I  approached  the 
tree  cautiously,  and  stood  back  of  a  neighboring-  tree,  whose  thick  branches, 
with  their  abundant  covering-  of  "  long-  moss"  (Tittandsia  usneoides),  en- 
tirely concealed  my  person  from  this  woodchopper's  keen  eye.  I  watched, 
and  soon  saw  its  large  bill  clasping-  a  chip  appear  at  the  opening-  of  the 
cavity,  in  another  instant  the  head  and  neck  were  protruded,  and  after 
taking  a  quick  survey  of  all  surroundings,  as  if  to  assure  herself  that  no 
enemy  was  a  witness  to  her  industry  and  vigilance,  the  chip  was  dropped 
down  and  the  bird  resumed  her  digging.  After  she  had  thus  reap- 
peared several  times  with  pieces  of  wood,  and  always  manifested  the  same 
caution  before  dropping  the  chips,  I,  when  she  again  came  in  view,  made 
a  slight  noise,  but  did  not  show  myself,  when  immediately  she  dropped 
back  into  the  cavity  and  did  not  again  continue  her  labors  or  show  her- 
self, although  I  remained  quiet  for  several  minutes.  As  the  dinner  horn 
had  sounded  some  time  before,  I  deemed  it  more  important  to  attend  to 
the  wants  of  the  inner  man  than  to  continue  to  wait  for  the  bird  to  re- 
new her  work,  and  picking  up  a  piece  of  shell  rock  I  threw  it  against  the 
limb,  when  she  flew  out  uttering  a  shrill  cry. 

These  birds  feed  largely  on  beetles  and  their  larvae,  which  are  so 
abundant  in  dead  trees.  Wild  grapes,  berries  and  acorns  are  also  some- 
times eaten. 

The  following  list  shows  most  of  the  counties  in  this  state  where  the 
Pileated  Woodpecker  is  frequently  met  with : 


COUXTY. 

OBSERVERS. 

REMARKS. 

Allegheny  
Beaver  
Bedford, 

Dr.  T.  Z.  Hazzard  
Dr.  G.  A.  Scroggs  
J.  L.  McGregor,  . 

Rare;  formerly  quite  plentiful. 
Breeds;  resident. 

Berks  
Crawford  

D.  F.  Keller  
H.  C.  Kirkpatrick  

Very  rare 
Seen  In  winter;  probably  breeds 

Clinton  
Clearfleld  

Dr.  Van  Fleet  
Dr.  Van  Fleet,  

Resident. 
Resident. 

Cameron  
Chester  

M.  M.  Larrabee  
B.  H.  Warren,*  

Resident;  tolerably  common. 

Clarion  
Columbia  
Dauphin  
Erie  
Fayette  
Fulton  
Lu/erne  

W.  Shanafelt  
Dr  A.  B.  MacCrea  
W.  W.  Stoey  
Geo.  B.  Sennett  
B.  H.  Warren  
Hon.  W.  S.  Alexander  
D.  J.  Linskill  

Resident;  not  common. 
Resident. 
Resident. 
Resident:  few  are  found  about  Lake  Pleasant. 
Saw  one  in  December,  1889. 
Resident. 
Resident 

l,vc<  nning. 

August  Kock, 

Resident                                                     • 

Ijuckawuniia.     . 
McKean. 

G.  P.  Friant  
J.  A  Teulon 

Resident;  quite  common;  increasing. 
Resident 

.Mcirrr  

S  S.  Overmoyer, 

Breeds 

MilHin  

B.  H.  Warren  

Resident. 

Northumberland,    .   . 

Dr.  Van  Fleet. 

Resident 

Perry  
Husquehanna.       .   .    . 

H.  J.  Roddy  
S.  8.  Thomas  

Resident. 
Rare. 

Sullivan  
Somerset  
Schuylkill  
Union  
Venango  
Warren  
Wayne     
Washington  
Do. 
Do.                    .... 
Westmoreland.    .  .   . 

Otto  Behr  
Dr.  H.  D.  Moore,     . 
M.  M.  MacMillan,    .   . 
Dr.  Van  Fleet  
J.  R.  Robertson  
H.  L.  Greenlund,     .   . 
N.  F.  Underwood  
James  S.  Nease  
M.  Compton  
W.  T.  Warrick  
Chas.  H.  Townsend  

Resident. 
Resident. 
Resident. 
Resident. 
Rare. 
Rare. 
Breeds. 
Kesident. 
Rare;  probably  breeds. 
Rare;  probably  breeds. 
Occasionally  seen  in  heavy  timbered  localities. 

*  Pileated  Woodpeckers  have  also  been  seen  or  heard  by  the  writer,  during  the  past  two  years,  in  the 
counties  of  Armstrong,  Blair,  Cambria,  Centre,  Elk,  Jefferson,  Forest  and  Potter:  in  some  parts  of  Cen- 
tre, Elk.  Forest  and  Potter  this  bird  is  often  seen. 


172  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYL  I  'A  XI A 

GENUS  MELANERPES  SWAINSON. 
Melanerpes  erythrocephalus  (LiNN.). 

Red-headed  Woodpecker. 

DESCRIPTION     (Plate  21}. 

Head  and  neck  all  around  crimson  red,  margined  by  a  narrow  crescent  of  black 
on  the  upper  part  of  the  breast ;  back,  primary  quills,  and  tail  bluish-black  ;  under 
parts  generally,  a  broad  band  across  the  middle  of  the  wing,  and  the  rump  white  : 
belly  usually  tinged  with  reddish.  Bill  and  feet  blue-black;  iris  brown.  Female 
is  not  different. 

Young. — Head,  neck  and  back  dull  gray,  varied  with  blackish  ;  secondary  feath- 
ers, usually  crossed  with  dark  bands.  The  head  in  nearly  all  specimens  taken  in 
fall  and  winter,  with  more  or  less  red  feathers. 

Length  9|  inches  ;  extent  about  18  ;  wing  5g  inches. 

Habitat. — United  States,  west  to  the  Rocky  mountains,  straggling  westward  to 
Salt  Lake  valley  ;  rare  or  local  east  of  the  Hudson  river. 

The  Red-headed  Woodpecker,  readily  recognized  by  its  red,  white  and 
blue  plumage,  is  found  in  Pennsylvania  at  all  seasons,  but  during-  the 
summer  is  much  more  abundant  than  at  other  periods.  I  have  repeat- 
edly observed  these  birds  during-  the  autumn  and  winter  months,  in 
small  parties  numbering  from  eight  to  a  dozen  or  sometimes  twenty  in- 
dividuals, but  never  found  them  in  large  flocks. 

In  many  localities  in  eastern  Pennsylvania  during-  the  past  few  years 
these  beautiful  birds  have  become  quite  scarce.  As  farmers  and  fruit- 
growers very  generally  seem  to  fully  appreciate  the  beneficent  services 
these  birds  render,  and  seldom  subject  them  to  persecution,  I  attribute 
this  scarcity  largely  to  the  fact  that  the  adult  Bed-heads  find  a  ready 
market  for  millinery  purposes.  When  pursued  by  gunners,  these  wood- 
peckers first  endeavor  to  escape  by  flying  to  the  topmost  branches  of 
the  tallest  trees ;  then,  if  further  molested,  they  will  conceal  themselves 
in  holes,  where  I  have  known  them  to  remain  for  over  one  hour  before 
venturing  out. 

In  this  locality  these  birds  subsist  chiefly  on  an  insect  bill  of  fare ; 
cherries,  berries,  occasionally  ripe  apples,  green  corn  and  pears  are  fed 
upon.  In  several  examinations  that  I  have  made  of  birds  shot  in  the 
winter  season  were  discovered  particles  of  acorns,  gravel  and  different 
forms  of  insects.  In  the  winter,  like  the  common  Crow  Blackbirds,  the 
Bed-heads  will  sometimes  visit  corn-cribs  and  feed  on  corn  which  they 
pick  from  the  ears.  Although  I  have  never  seen  this  species  store  up 
acorns,  etc.,  there  is  no  doubt  that  they  occasionally  thus  provide  for 
themselves. 

In  the  viscera  of  eleven  Bed-heads  examined  by  the  writer  the  follow- 
ing food  materials  were  discovered : 


Plate  42. 


Maryland  Yellow  Warbler. 
1.  Adult;  2.  Female;  3.  Young  Male. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


173 


NO; 

DATS. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1 
I 

3 
4 
5 
G 

8 
9 

May      6,  1880,     . 
May     17,  1880,     .   .   . 
June    12,  1880.     .   .   . 
June    12,  1880.     .  .  . 
Sept.  11.  1880,     .  .  . 
Sept.  11,  1880,     .  .  . 
Sept.  11,  1880,     .  . 
May      8,  1883,     .  . 
July      5    1883 

Chester  county.  Pa. 
Chester  county,  Pa. 
Chester  county.  Pa. 
Chester  county,  Pa. 
Chester  county,  Pa. 
Chester  county,  Pa. 
Chester  county,  Pa. 
Chester  county.  Pa. 
Chester  county,  Pa. 

Beetles  and  sand. 
Larvae  and  seeds. 
Cherries. 
Cherries  and  ants. 
Corn  (maize). 
Black  ants. 
Larvae  and  beetles. 
Chiefly  beetles  and  few  dipterous  insects 
Piece  of  an  apple. 

10 

Mar.    15.  1886,     .  . 

Allerton  Farm.  Pa.  , 

Beetles. 

11 

Mar.    13.  1885.     .   .       . 

Volusia,  Florida,  .  . 

Palmetto  berries. 

Melanerpes  carolinus  (LiNN.)- 

Red-bellied  Woodpecker. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  76). 

Top  of  head  and  nape  crimson  red  ;  forehead  whitish,  strongly  tinged  with  light 
red,  a  shade  of  which  is  also  seen  on  the  cheek  ;  still  stronger  on  the  middle  of  the 
belly.  Under  parts  brownish  white,  with  a  faint  wash  of  yellowish  on  the  belly  ; 
back,  rump  and  wiag-co verts  banded  black  and  white  ;  upper  tail-coverts  white, 
with  occasional  blotches;  tail  feathers  black  ;  first  transversely  banded  with  white  ; 
second  less  so;  all  the  rest  with  whitish  tips:  inner  feathers  banded  with  white  on 
the  inner  web  ;  the  outer  web  with  a  stripe  of  white  along  the  middle  ;  iris  red. 

Female  with  the  crown  ashy  ;  forehead  pale  red  :  7iape  bright  red. 

Length  9$  inches ;  extent  about  17  ;  wing  about  5  inches. 

Habitat. — Eastern  United  States  to  the  Rocky  mountains  ;  rare  or  accidental  east 
of  the  Hudson  river. 

Audubon  found  nests  of  Red-bellied  Woodpeckers  in  orchards  in  Penn- 
sylvania. The  Messrs.  Baird,  writing-  in  1844,  mention  this  species  as 
occurring-  in  the  vicinity  of  Carlisle,  Cumberland  county,  in  reference  to 
it  they  say:  "Abundant;  most  so  in  winter ;  resident." 

Dr.  Ezra  Michener,  in  his  Chester  county  list  of  1863,  records  this  bird 
as  a  "resident,  frequent;  rare  in  summer."  Dr.  Turnbull,  in  his  Birds 
of  Eastern  Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey,  1869,  says,  "common,  but 
more  frequent  in  summer:  found  mostly  on  the  larg-er  trees  of  the 
forest."  Mr.  Gentry,  Avriting  in  1877  (Life  Histories  of  Birds},  observes 
that  he  has  found  a  few  of  these  birds  in  eastern  Pennsylvania  from  No- 
vember until  the  latter  part  of  April.  According-  to  my  observation, 
the  Red-bellied  Woodpecker  occurs  in  southeastern  Pennsylvania  only 
MS  a  rare  winter  visitant.  The  few  birds  observed  by  myself  in  this 
locality  were  exceedingly  shy,  and  when  found  were  seen  in  tall  trees  in 
the  forests.  Mr.  T.  L.  Neff,  of  Carlisle,  has  never  observed  it  in  Cum- 
berland county,  at  least  his  report  of  the  species  found  there  contains 
no  mention  of  it.  The  only  locality  in  Pennsylvania  where  the  Red- 
bellied  Woodpecker  has  been  found  breeding-  during-  recent  years  is,  so 
far  as  I  can  learn,  in  the  county  of  Washington,  along-  our  western  bor- 
der. I  am  indebted  to  Mr.  W.  T.  Warrick,  of  Washing-ton,  Pa.,  for  the 
following-  interesting  facts  concerning-  the  species  in  his  locality :  "  This 
bird  is  not  rare  here,  although  not  very  abundant,  and  it  is  resident  and 


174 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


breeds.  It  is  not  often  seen  away  from  heavy  timber,  and  is  generally 
to  be  found  in  the  very  tops  of  the  tallest  forest  trees.  I  have  never 
secured  any  of  their  eggs,  but  my  note  book  says  that  I  found  a  pair 
nesting  March  25,  1883,  near  the  top  of  a  large  white-oak  in  edge  of 
wood  two  miles  from  Washington.  The  birds  were  quite  noisy,  and 
while  I  watched  them  with  my  field  glass  I  saw  them  running  in  and 
out  of  a  nice  new  clean-cut  hole  in  the  live  wood  of  the  oak.  The  eggs 
were  probably  not  laid  at  that  date,  but  about  the  nesting  there  could 
be  no  doubt.  I  intended  trying  to  secure  the  eggs,  but  bad  weather 
and  other  circumstances  prevented  till  the  matter  was  overlooked.  I 
also  remember  several  years  ago  visiting  a  farmer  friend  whom  I  found 
engaged  in  shooting  woodpeckers  off  a  mulberry  tree  that  stood  in  his 
yard  and  was  full  of  ripe  fruit.  He  had  a  dozen  or  more  of  the  birds 
lying  in  a  pile  under  the  tree,  and  at  least  four  or  five  of  them  were  Red- 
bellies  and  the  balance  Red-heads.  I  saw  and  heard  three  of  this  species 
the  last  day  I  was  in  the  woods  (June  2).  I  can  recognize  their  '  chuck ' 
as  far  as  I  can  hear  it." 

The  following  list  made  up  from  reports — seventy  odd  in  number — 
received  from  observers  throughout  the  state,  shows  that  M.  carolinus 
has  been  observed  as  a  breeder  only  in  Washington  county ;  and  as  a 
migrant  it  has  been  reported  by  but  few  persons : 


COUNTY. 

OBSERVERS. 

REMARKS. 

Bradford  
Clinton  

J.  L.  Camp  
Dr.  W.  Van  Fleet,  

Migrant  :  rare. 
Migrant  ;  rare. 

Chester  
Delaware  

B.  H.  Warren  
B.  H.  Warren  

Have  taken  three  in  ten  years  ;  all  in  winter. 
Two  killed  in  winter. 

Erie  
*.Lancaster. 

Geo.  B.  Sennett  
Dr.  A.  C  Treichler, 

Winter. 
Winter 

Lackawanna.    . 

Geo.  P.  Friant  

Winter  ;  very  rare. 

Luzerne,     .  .   . 
Montgomery.    . 
Northampton.  . 
Perry  
Washington, 

Dr.  W.  L.  Hartman  
Thos.  S.  Gillin  
Dr.  John  W.  Detwiller  
H.  J.  Roddy  
M.  Compton, 

Rare  visitor  ;  probably  breeds. 
Migrant. 
Migrant. 
Migrant. 
Resident  •  breeds 

Do.                  .  . 
Do 

W.  T.  Warrick  
Jas.  S.  Nease, 

Resident  ;  breeds. 
Resident  ;  breeds 

Westmoreland,    . 
York  

Chas.  H.  Townsend  
Gerard  C.  Brown  

Rather  common. 
Migrant  ;  probably  breeds  occasionally. 

The  stomach  contents  of  three  of  these  birds,  captured  during  the 
winter  months  in  Chester  and  Delaware  counties,  Pa.,  consisted  of  black 
beetles,  larvae,  fragments  of  acorns,  and  a  few  seeds  of  wild  grapes. 

In  various  sections  of  Florida  where  the  Red-bellied  Woodpeckers  are 
exceedingly  numerous ;  in  fact,  by  odds,  the  most  abundant  of  all  the 
woodpeckers,  the  common  names  of  "  Orange  Sapsucker  "  and  "  Orange- 
borer  "  are  universally  applied  to  them.  On  making  inquiry  of  farmers 
and  others,  I  learned  that  the  names  were  given  because  these  wood 
peckers  "  sucked  the  sap  "  of  orange  trees  and  fed  on  oranges.  Sup- 
posing these  statements  were  wrongfully  made,  I,  at  first,  gave  but  little 
attention  to  them.  When,  however,  I  visited  W^elaka,  Palatka,  Volusia, 


*  Some  fifteen  or  twenty  years  ago.  according  to  the  Into  Judge  I,ibhart.  this  specie*  bred  Jn  Lnnc-nster 
county.-— I?.  H.   Warren. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  175 


Deland  and  other  places  where  numerous  orange  trees  were  thriving,  I 
was  informed  by  the  orange-growers  that  the  Red-bellied  Woodpeckers 
oftentimes  destroyed  large  numbers  of  oranges  when  they  had  matured 
and  were  ready  for  picking ;  also,  that  "  they  damaged  the  orange  trees 
by  boring  holes  in  them  and  sucking  the  sap."  I  had  but  little  oppor- 
tunity of  making  a  careful  study  of  this  orange-eating  habit,  so  greatly 
talked  about,  owing  to  the  fact  that  when  I  first  visited  these  localities 
it  was  late  in  February,  or  after  the  oranges  had  been  picked  and  shipped 
north.  In  the  month  of  March,  1885, 1  camped  a  few  days  at  "Bluffton," 
near  Volusia,  in  an  orange  grove,  owned  by  Mr.  Bird,  of  New  York  city 
This  grove  contained  about  thirty  acres  of  trees,  which  were  loaded  with 
fruit,  then  being  picked  for  market.  Through  the  kindness  of  Mr. 
Bird  and  his  overseer,  Mr.  Curtis,  I  collected  twenty-six  Red-bellied 
Woodpeckers  in  this  orange  grove,  eleven  of  these  birds  had  fed  to  a 
more  or  less  extent  on  oranges. 

Three  of  the  eleven  stomachs  taken  from  specimens  killed  in  the  fore- 
noon, soon  after  daylight,  contained  only  orange  pulp.  Eight  stomachs 
showed,  in  addition  to  orange  pulp,  insects  and  berries.  The  stomachs 
of  the  remaining  fifteen  birds  contained  no  traces  of  oranges,  but  re- 
vealed chiefly  insects,  a  few  berries  and  seeds.  I  examined  two  dozen 
or  more  oranges  which  had  been  attacked  by  the  Woodpeckers,  and 
found  that  all  had  been  bored  about  midway  between  the  stem  and  blos- 
som end.  These  holes,  always  round,  varied  greatly  in  size.  The  birds 
usually,  I  think,  pick  off  the  skin  from  a  space  about  the  size  of  an  ordi- 
nary five-cent  piece,  and  then  eat  out  the  pulp.  In  an  orchard  at  Hawk- 
insville,  near  Deland  Landing,  on  the  St.  John's  river,  I  oftentimes,  in 
the  month  of  April,  1885,  found  oranges  which  had  been  evidently  over- 
looked when  the  crop  was  gathered,  and  in  most  instances  observed  that 
they  were  bored.  In  this  orchard,  on  one  occasion,  I  saw  a  Red-bellied 
Woodpecker  eating  an  orange.  He  evidently  recognized  the  fact  that 
it  was  about  the  last  of  the  season,  as  he  had  enlarged  the  opening  suf- 
ficiently that  his  head  was  almost  entirely  hidden  in  the  yellow  skin, 
from  the  sides  of  which  he  picked  the  few  remaining  particles  of  pulp. 
I  was  shown  orange  trees  that  these  "  Sapsuckers "  were  said  to  have 
bored,  these  borings,  however,  did  not  appear  to  injure  the  trees,  as  they 
seemed  to  me  to  be  equally  as  flourishing  as  other  trees  whose  trunks 
showed  no  marks  of  a  woodpecker's  bill. 


176  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


GENUS  COLA.PTES  SWAINSON. 

Colaptes  auratus  (LiNN.). 

\ 

Flicker. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  22). 

Bill  differs  from  other  of  our  woodpeckers.  It  is  long,  slender,  slightly  curved, 
without  lateral  ridges  ;  nostrils  exposed.  Shafts  and  under  surface  ot  wing  and 
tail  feathers  gamboge-yellow  ;  a  black  patch  on  each  side  of  the  cheek  ;  a  red  cres- 
cent on  the  upper  part  of  hind-neck,  throat  and  stripe  beneath  the  eye  pale  lilac- 
brown.  A  crescentic  patch  on  the  breast  and  rounded  spots  on  the  belly,  black  ; 
back  and  wing-coverts  with  interrupted  transverse  bands  of  black  ;  neck  above  and 
on  sides  ashy.  In  the  female  the  black  cheek  patch  is  usually  absent ;  eyes  brown. 
Length  about  12|  inches  ;  extent  about  20  ;  wing  about  6  inches. 

Habitat. — Northern  and  eastern  North  America,  west  to  the  eastern  slope  of  the 
Rocky  mountains*  and  Alaska.  Occasional  on  the  Pacific  slope  from  California 
northward.  Accidental  in  Europe. 

This  species,  one  of  the  most  common  of  all  our  woodpeckers,  is  found 
in  some  sections  of  Pennsylvania  during  all  months  of  the  year ;  but  it 
is  far  more  numerous  in  the  summer  season  than  at  other  times.  The 
Flicker,  like  all  of  the  woodpeckers,  flies  in  an  undulatory  manner. 
When  flying-  it  is  easily  recognized  from  other  species  by  the  conspicu- 
ous golden-yellow  under  parts  of  the  tail  and  wings,  and  the  white  rump. 
As  previously  remarked,  woodpeckers  are  not  commonly  seen  on  the 
ground ;  in  this  particular,  however,  the  subject  of  this  present  sketch 
differs  from  other  of  his  kin,  as  he  is  frequently  to  be  observed  hopping 
about  in  grass  fields,  meadows  or  along  the  roadside  searching  for  food. 
Although  the  Flicker  commonly  lays  about  six  eggs,  I  have  known  as 
many  as  seventeen  eggs  to  have  been  taken  from  the  nest  of  one  bird. 
Flickers  are  great  destroyers  of  ants ;  they  also  subsist  on  various  forms 
of  noxious  insects,  and  in  the  fall  and  winter  season  eat,  in  addition  to 
insect  food,  berries,  wild  cherries,  small  seeds  of  grasses,  etc. 

INSECTS  THAT  WOODPECKERS  EAT. 

In  February,  March  and  April,  1885,  I  collected  a  large  number  of  woodpeckers 
at  different  points  in  Florida,  in  the  region  about  the  St.  John's  river,  from  Welaka 
to  Sanford.  The  stomach  contents  of  thirty-three  of  these  birds  were  kindly  deter- 
mined for  me  by  Prof.  C.  V.  Riley,  the  eminent  entomologist  of  the  U.  S.  Depart- 
ment of  Agriculture,  and  are  given  below,  with  a  letter  that  came  with  the  list : 

U.  8.  DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE, 

DIVISION  OF  ENTOMOLOGY, 
WASHINGTON,  D.  C.,  January  28,  1886. 
B.  H.  WARREN,  M.  D.,  West  Chester,  Pa.: 

DEAR  SIR  :  I  hand  you  herewith  a  full  list  of  the  insect  material  contained  in  the 
vials  of  birds'  stomachs  which  you  have  submitted  for  examination.  The  determi- 
nations are  as  specific  as  the  condition  of  the  material  would  permit,  and  in  almost 
every  instance  the  generic  reference  is  given,  which  is  sufficient  to  indicate  the  habit 
of  the  insect 

Yours  very  truly, 

C.  V.  RILKY. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  177 

RED-COCKADED  WOODPECKER  (Dryobates  borealis). 

Contents  from  eleven  adults  of  both  sexes  —Six  egg-cases  of  a  small  cockroach 
(Ichnoptera).  The  egg-cases  of  these  small  tree-inhabiting  roaches  are  usually  de- 
posited behind  the  loose  bark  of  trees.  Three  skins  of  coleopterous  larvae ;  judging 
from  their  last  joints  they  belong  to  the  genus  Tenebrio,  the  larvae  of  which  are 
found  under  dead  bark.  One  leg  of  Pachylobious  picivorus  ;  this  snout-beetle  is 
common  throughout  the  south,  and  is  found  upon  the  different  species  of  pines. 
Eight  elytra  of  a  beetle  (  Cymatodera  undulata  or  brunnea).  These  beetles  are  also 
found  under  bark  of  living  and  dead  trees;  their  larvae  live  upon  other  insects. 
One  small  pupa  of  a  Cerambycid  insect ;  it  is  probably  the  pupa  of  a  Liopus  or 
Sternidius  :  both  species  breed  in  decaying  twigs.  One  small  larva  of  a  Cerambycid 
insect,  not  recognizable.  One  egg  of  a  large  hemipterous  insect,  probably  that  of 
Brachyrhynchus  granulatus,  Say.  Numerous  legs  of  spiders  and  bugs.  Two  skins 
of  spiders,  partly  digested  and  squeezed  out.  Skin  of  a  dipterous  larva.  Several 
specimens  of  a  dipterous  pupa  (Musca).  Middle  and  hind  leg  of  a  Cerambycid  be- 
longing to  the  Acanfhocerince.  Large  numbers  of  ants  ;  the  species  found  seem  to 
be  Colobopsis  impressa,  Cremastog  aster  lineolata,  Camponotus  fallax,  Formica 
fusca  and  Leptothorax  curbispinosus.  Numerous  legs  and  mouth  parts,  etc.,  refer- 
able to  one  or  the  other  of  the  species  before  mentioned  make  up  the  bulk  ;  but  ants 
were  evidently  the  principal  food.  No  vegetable  food  was  found  ;  some  vegetable 
fibre,  and  probably  obtained  from  the  palmetto,  was  found,  however. 

RED-COCKADED  WOODPECKER  (Dryobates  borealis),  ADULT  MALE. 

Contents.— Fragments  of  the  abdomen  only  of  Brochymena  species  ;  also  one  leg  of 
the  same.  Undigested  eggs  of  perhaps  the  same  insect.  Fragments  of  the  abdomen 
of  Cremastog  aster  lineolatus.  Fragments  of  a  myriapod  ( Julus). 

RED-COCKADED  WOODPECKER  (Dryobates  borealis),  ADULT  MALE. 

Contents. — One  leg  of  Brochymena  species.  One  larva  of  Pyralid.  One  ant,  head 
and  abdominal  plates,  belonging  to  two  different  species.  Numerous  joints  of  a 
Myriapod  (Julus).  Parts  of  legs  belonging  to  ants,  hemiptera  and  coleoptera.  The 
stomach  was  nearly  empty  and  it  was  evidently  a  long  time  since  the  bird  had  made 
a  meal. 

RED-COCKADED  WOODPECKER  (Dryobates  borealis),  ADULT  MALE. 

Contents.—  Numerous  fragments  of  a  Cremastogaster,  apparently  lineolata.  One 
coleopterous  larval  skin,  without  head  or  tail ;  perhaps  of  Tenebrio. 

PILEATED  WOODPECKER  (Ceophlwus  pileatus),  ADULT  MALE.  , 

Contents. — Two  larvae  of  Orthosoma  brunnea.  Five  ants  (Camponotus  csuriens). 
Remains  of  other  ants.  The  larva  of  Orthosoma  brunnea  is  very  destructive  to  pine. 

PILEATED  WOODPECKER  (CeopMmus pileatus),  ADULT  FEMALE. 

Contents. — Two  larvae  of  Orthosoma  brunnea.  Numerous  Cremastog  aster  line- 
olata. Numerous  Camponotus  esuriens  and  their  cocoons.  One  larva  of  Xylo- 
trechus  spec. 

PILEATED  WOODPECKER  (Ceophlce us  pileatus),  ADULT  MALE. 

Contents.—  One  larva  of  Orthosoma  brunnea.  Five  ants  (Camponotus  esuriens), 
and  fragments  of  the  same. 

PILEATED  WOODPECKER  (Ceophtceus  pileatus),  ADULT  MALE. 

Contents.— Numerous  fragments  of  Camponotus  esuriens.  Fragments  of  a  Ceram- 
bycid larva  (Xylotrechust). 

12  BIRDS. 


178  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


PILEATED  WOODPECKER  (Ceophlceus pileatus),  ADULTS,  Two  MALES  AND 

FEMALE. 

Contents.—  Filled  with  the  fragments  of  the  Palmetto-ants  (  Camponotus  esuriens). 
One  pupa  of  White  ant  (Tertnes). 

RED-BELLIED  WOODPECKER  {Melanerpes  carolinus.) 

Contents  from  eight  adults  of  both  sexes.  Red  seeds  (undigested)  of  two  species 
of  the  Palmetto.  No  animal  matter  could  be  distinguished. 

RED-BELLIED  WOODPECKER  (Melanerpes  carolinus),  ADULT  MALE. 

Contents.—  Numerous  joints  of  a  small  diplopodous  myriopod,  probably  Julus. 
One  Palmetto  ant  (Camponotus  esuriens).  Fragments  of  a  tree-cricket  (Orocharis 
saltator.) 

RED-BELLIED  WOODPECKER  (Melanerpes  carolinus),  ADULT  MALE. 

Contents. — Berries  and  seeds  of  the  Palmetto.  Fragments,  consisting  of  three  legs 
and  part  of  a  cricket  (Nemobius). 

HAIRY  WOODPECKER  (Dryobates  villosus  audubonii),  ADULT  MALE. 

Contents. — Palmetto  fibers,  and  mixed  with  them  traces  of  a  Cerambycid  larva. 
Digested  fragments  of  a  neuropterous  insect,  probably  a  small  Libellulid. 

HAIRY  WOODPECKER  (Dryobates  villosus  audubonii),  ADULT  MALE. 

Contents.—  Fragments  of  an  elytron  of  Trogosita,  a  beetle  common  under  bark. 
Fragments  of  ants.  Fragments  of  Julus. 


ORDER  MACROCHIRES.    GOATSUCKERS  AND  SWIFTS. 

SUBOKDER  CAPRIMULGI.     GOATSUCKERS. 
FAMILY  CAPRIMULGID^E.    GOATSUCKERS. 

THE  WHIP-POOR-WILL  AND  NIGHTHAWK. 

The  name  of  "Goatsucker"  given  to  members  of  this  family  originated  from  a 
silly  notion  that  the  European  species  sucked  the  teats  of  goats.  It  is  misleading 
and  should  be  abolished.  Two  species  of  this  family  are  found  in  Pennsylvania  as 
common  summer  residents.  Head  large,  broad  and  flattened;  eyes  large;  neck 
short;  plumage,  especially  in  Whip-poor-will,  soft  and  owl-like;  flight  noiseless; 
bill  very  small ;  gape  of  great  extent,  reaching  below  eyes,  and  furnished  with 
bristles.  Toes  lour,  anterior  ones  connected  by  a  moveable  skin  ;  inner  edge  of  mid- 
dle claw  pectinated  (comb-like).  Tarsi  short  and  more  or  less  feathered  ;  feet  small. 
These  birds  do  not  perch  as  many  other  birds  do,  but  sit  lengthwise  of  limbs,  fence 
rails,  etc  ,  and  crouch  on  the  ground.  Tail  forked  or  rounded. 


Plate  43. 


American  Redstart. 
L  Male;  2.  Female. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  179 



GENUS  ANTROSTOMUS  GOULD. 
Antrostomus  vociferus  (WiLS.). 

Whip-poor-will. 

DESCBIPTION  (Plate  8S). 

Length  about  10  inches  ;  extent  about  18;  gape  with  long  stiff  bristles  reaching  be- 
yond bill ;  no  white  spot  on  primaries. 

Habitat.— Eastern  United  States  to  the  plains,  south  to  Guatemala. 

Although  the  Whip-poor-will  and  Nighthawk  are  generally  regarded 
by  those  who  are  not  versed  in  ornithology,  as  the  same  bird,  it  can 
readily  be  seen,  by  referring  to  Plate  23,  that  they  differ  greatly.  It 
will  be  observed  that  the  Whip-poor-will  has  conspicuous,  long  and  stiff 
bristles  at  the  base  of  bill ;  the  bill  of  the  Nighthawk  is  not  furnished 
with  long,  conspicuous  and  stiff  bristles.  The  Whip-poor-will  has  no 
white  spot  on  the  primaries ;  the  Nighthawk  has  a  well-marked  spot  of 
white  on  five  outer  primaries.  The  white  on  tail  of  males  of  both  species 
is  also  different.  In  the  Whip-poor-will  the  lower  half  of  the  three  outer 
tail  feathers  is  white ;  Nighthawk  has  a  broad  white  bar  crossing  the 
tail  (except  middle  feathers)  near  the  tip.  The  males,  both  species, 
have  transverse  white  throat  bars.  The  female  Whip-poor-will  has  a 
tawny  throat  bar,  and  inconspicuous  terminal  spots  of  the  same  color 
on  lateral  tail  feathers.  Female  Nighthawk,  throat  bar  tawny,  white 
spot  on  wing,  but  no  terminal  patch  of  white  crossing  tail. 

The  Whip  poor-will  is  a  rather  common  summer  resident  in  the  wooded 
and  mountainous  portions  of  Pennsylvania.  It  arrives  in  this  locality 
from  April  22  to  May  1,  and  migrates  southward  in  September.  The 
Whip-poor-will  migrates  singly  or  in  pairs,  and,  unlike  the  Nighthawk, 
is  never  to  be  found  in  flocks.  The  Whip-poor-will  is  nocturnal  in  hab- 
its, and  is  seldom  seen  during  the  day  unless  accidentally  discovered 
in  a  state  of  repose,  when,  if  startled,  "  it  rises  and  flies  off,  but  only 
to  such  a  distance  as  it  considers  necessary,  in  order  to  secure  it  from 
the  farther  intrusion  of  the  disturber  of  its  noon-day  slumbers.  Its 
flight  is  very  low,  light,  swift,  noiseless  and  protracted,  as  the  bird 
moves  over  the  places  which  it  inhabits,  in  pursuit  of  the  moths,  beetles 
and  other  insects  of  which  its  food  is  composed.  During  the  day  it 
sleeps  on  the  ground,  the  lowest  branches  of  small  trees,  or  the  fallen 
trunks  of  trees,  so  abundantly  dispersed  through  the  woods.  In  such 
situations  you  may  approach  within  a  few  feet  of  it ;  and,  should  you 
observe  it  whilst  asleep,  and  not  make  any  noise  sufficient  to  alarm  it, 
it  will  suffer  you  to  pass  quite  near  without  taking  flight,  as  it  seems  to 
sleep  with  great  soundness,  especially  about  the  middle  of  the  day.  In 
rainy  or  very  cloudy  weather  it  sleeps  less,  and  is  more  on  the  alert. 
Its  eyes  are  then  kept  open  for  hours  at  a  time,  and  it  flies  off  as  soon 
as  it  discovers  an  enemy  approaching,  which  it  can  do,  at  such  times,  at 


180  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

a  distance  of  twenty  or  thirty  yards.  It  always  appears  with  its  body 
parallel  to  the  direction  of  the  branch  or  trunk  on  which  it  sits,  and,  I 
believe,  never  alights  across  a  branch  or  fence  rail.  No  sooner  has  the 
sun  disappeared  beneath  the  horizon,  than  this  bird  bestirs  itself,  and 
sets  out  in  pursuit  of  insects.  It  passes  low  over  the  bushes,  moves  to 
the  right  or  left,  alights  on  the  ground  to  secure  its  prey,  passes  re- 
peatedly in  different  directions  over  the  same  field,  skims  along  the 
skirts  of  the  woods  and  settles  occasionally  on  the  tops  of  the  fence 
stakes  or  on  the  stumps  of  trees,  from  whence  it  sallies,  like  a  Flycatcher, 
after  insects,  and  011  seizing  them  returns  to  the  same  spot.  When 
thus  situated,  it  frequently  alights  on  the  ground,  to  pick  up  a  beetle  ? 
it  also  balances  itself  in  the  air,  in  front  of  the  trunks  of  trees,  or  against 
the  sides  of  banks,  to  discover  ants  and  other  small  insects  that  may  be 
lurking  there.  It  is  a  remarkable  fact  that  even  the  largest  moths  on 
which  the  Whip-poor-will  feeds,  are  always  swallowed  tail  foremost,  and 
when  swallowed,  the  wings  and  legs  are  found  closely  laid  together,  and 
as  if  partially  glued  by  the  saliva  or  gastric  juice  of  the  bird.  The  act 
of  deglutition  must  be  greatly  aided  by  the  long  bristly  feathers  of  the 
upper  mandible,  as  these  no  doubt  force  the  wings  of  the  insects  close 
together,  before  they  enter  the  mouth." — Audubon.  In  several  of  these 
birds,  which  I  have  examined,  were  found  only  insects,  chiefly  of  a 
lepidopterous  character ;  once  I  took  from  the  stomach  of  a  male  the 
remains  of  two  or  three  common  potato  beetles.  The  Whip-poor-will 
never  builds  a  nest.  In  this  section  it  deposits  its  eggs  about  the  20th 
of  May,  on  the  bare  ground,  or  on  dry  leaves,  and  occasionally,  though 
rarely,  it  is  said  on  logs,  in  the  gloomy  retreats  of  thickets  or  woods. 
The  eggs,  never  more  than  two  in  number,  are  white  or  yellowish- white, 
irregularly  spotted  or  blotched  with  brown,  and  bluish-gray.  They 
measure  about  1.25  inches  in  length  and  .89  of  an  inch  in  width.  This 
bird,  like  the  Chuck- will's-widow,*  when  flying  about  in  quest  of  food, 
may  be  heard  to  utter  a  kind  of  low  growling  sound.  This  noise  is  the 
only  sound  I  ever  heard  the  Whip-poor-will  make  when  on  the  wing. 

GENUS  CHORDEILES  SWAINSON. 
Chordeiles  virginianus  (GMEL.). 

Nighthavvk. 

DESCRIPTION  {Plate,  28). 

Male,  above  mottled  with  blackish,  grayish  and  rufous ;  a  white  V-shape  mark 
on  the  throat ;  behind  this  a  collar  of  pale  rufous  blotches,  and  another  on  the  breast 
of  grayish  mottling ;  under  parts  banded  transversely  with  dull-yellowish  or  red- 

*The  Chuck-will's-widow  (Antrnstomus  carolinensis,  Grmel. )  inhabits  the  south  Atlantic  and  Gulf 
states,  "and  lower  Mississippi  Valley,  north  to  the  Carolinas  and  southern  Illinois."  Said  to  winter 
chiefly  south  of  United  States,  in  Mexico.  Central  America,  etc.  April,  1885.  I  found  this  species  breed- 
ing in  Orange  and  Volusia  counties.  Florida,  where  these  birds  are  abundant.  In  February  and  March  I 
neither  saw  or  heard  them,  and  residents  of  Florida  assured  me  that  the  "Chick-will,"  as  the  bird  is 
there  known,  was  found  in  that  state  only  as  a  summer  resident. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  181 

dish  white  and  brown  ;  wing  quills  quite  uniformly  brown  ;  the  five  outer  prima- 
ries with  a  white  blotch  midway  between  the  tip  and  carpal  joint,  not  extending  on 
the  outer  web  of  the  outer  quill  ;  tail  with  a  terminal  white  patch. 

Female  without  the  caudal  white  patch,  the  white  of  the  throat  mixed  with  red- 
dish. Length  about  9^  inches  ;  extent  about  23  ;  wing  about  8  inches. 

Habitat.—  Northern  and  eastern  North  America,  east  of  the  Great  Plains,  south 
through  tropical  America  to  Buenos  Ayres. 

The  Nighthawk  occurs  in  Pennsylvania  as  a  common  summer  resident. 
It  usually  arrives  from  its  southern  winter  resorts,  a  few  days  after  the 
Whip-poor-wills  have  made  their  appearance.  The  note  of  the  Night- 
hawk  is  a  short,  sharp  squeak.  During  the  breeding  season  this  bird 
has  a  curious  habit,  when  flying,  of  falling  through  the  air  with  a  loud 
booming  sound,  which,  as  Nuttall  has  truly  said,  resembles  the  noise  pro- 
duced by  blowing  into  the  bung-hole  of  an  empty  hogshead.  This  pe- 
culiar booming  or  whirring  sound,  which  can  be  heard  oftentimes  to  the 
distance  of  a  quarter  of  a  mile  or  over,  is  produced,  it  is  stated,  by  the 
air  rushing  through  the  stiff  wing  feathers.  The  Nighthawk  never 
breeds  in  woods  or  thickets,  but  deposits  her  two  eggs  on  the  bare 
ground  or  rocks  in  open  situations ;  the  favorite  breeding  places  are  bar- 
ren and  rocky  lands,  though  sometimes  they  have  been  known  to  de- 
posit their  eggs  on  roofs  of  buildings  in  large  cities  and  towns,  over 
which  these  birds  all  day  long  may  be  seen  or  heard  flying  in  pursuit 
of  their  favorite  insect  prey. 

The  eggs,  elliptical  in  shape  and  about  the  same  size  as  those  of  the 
Whip-poor-will,  so  closely  resemble  the  ground  or  pieces  of  rock  on  which 
they  are  deposited,  that  they  are  frequently  overlooked  by  persons 
accustomed  to  search  for  them.  The  Nighthawk,  like  the  Whip-poor- 
will,  manifests  great  affection  for  her  eggs  and  young,  and  will  re- 
sort to  numerous  devices  to  induce  you  to  follow  her,  when  these  treas- 
urers are  approached  or  discovered.  It  is  stated  that  birds  of  this  fam- 
ily have  a  common  habit,  when  their  eggs  or  young  are  disturbed,  of 
removing  them  in  their  capacious  mouths,  to  different  localities.  I  have 
known  the  Nighthawk  to  move  its  eggs  a  distance  of  over  two  hundred 
yards,  in  less  than  one  hour  after  I  had  examined  them.  In  the  breed- 
ing season  especially,  these  birds  are  frequently  seen  sitting  lengthwise 
on  fences  or  on  the  limbs  of  high  trees,  in  the  vicinity  of  their  breeding 
grounds.  Several  pairs  of  Nighthawks  may  often  be  found  breeding 
within  a  few  yards  of  each  other.  The  Nighthawk,  although  oftentimes 
observed  flying  about  during  the  daytime,  is  particularly  active  in  the 
afternoon  and  in  cloudy  weather.  This  bird  when  on  the  wing,  if  not 
too  distant,  can  easily  be  recognized  by  the  white  spot  on  the  primaries, 
which  is  commonly  spoken  of  as  a  "hole  in  the  wing."  During  the  lat- 
ter part  of  August,  these  birds  collect  in  large  bands  and  leisurely  pro- 
ceed to  winter  quarters  in  Mexico,  Central  America  and  portions  of 
South  America,  etc. 

The  somewhat  prevalent   idea  that  Nighthawks   are  destroyers    of 


182 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


young  poultry  is  simply  absurd,  as  it  requires  only  a  careless  examina- 
tion of  a  specimen  to  prove  conclusively  that  it  would  be  physically  im- 
possible for  them  to  capture  such  prey. 

The  great  mistake  of  applying  improper  vernacular  names  to  birds, 
was  clearly  demonstrated  during  the  enforcement  of  the  scalp  act  of 
1885,  when  commissioners,  of  whom  I  have  knowledge,  took  the  stand 
that  they  were  obliged  to  allow  bounty  on  the  Nighthawk,  because  it  was 
known  as  a  "  hawk." 

Audubon  writing  of  this  species  states  that  the  food  consists  entirely 
of  insects,  especially  beetles,  although  they  also  feed  on  moths  and  cat- 
erpillars, and  are  very  expert  in  catching  crickets  and  grasshoppers, 
with  which  they  sometimes  gorge  themselves,  as  they  fly  over  the  ground 
with  great  rapidity.  "  When  flying  closely  over  the  water  they  occa- 
sionally drink  in  the  manner  of  swallows." 

The  food  materials  of  eleven  of  these  birds  are  given  in  the  following 
table: 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1 

May      5,  1879  

Chester  county,  Pa  

Flies  and  other  insects. 

2 
3 

July    20,  1879  
May    30,  1880,  .... 

Delaware  county.  Pa  
Chester  county,  Pa.  ,  

Grasshoppers. 
Beetles  and  larva? 

4 

Aug.   13,  1880, 

Chester  county   Pa 

5 

Aug.    13.  1880  

Chester  county.  Pa  

Many  crickets   etc 

g 

Aug.   13.  1880. 

Chester  county   Pa 

7 

May    20,  1883  

Chester  county.  Pa.  ,                   ... 

Water  beetles. 

8 

May    28.  1883. 

9 

April  —  .  1885  

Orange  county,  Fla.  . 

Various  insects 

10 

April  —  .  1885  

Orange  county,  Fla  

Beetles  and  large  flies. 

11 

June     1,  1886,  .  .   . 

Chester  county,  Pa.  ,  

Various  insects. 

SUBORDER  CYPSELI     SWIFTS. 

FAMILY  MICROPODID^E.     SWIFTS. 

SUBFAMILY  CH.3E TURING.    SPIN K-TAI LED  SWIFTS. 

GENUS   CENTURA    STEPHENS. 
Chsetura  pelagica  (LiNN.)- 

Chimney  Swiit;  Chimney-bird. 

DESCRIPTION  {Plate  90). 

Bill  small,  gape  large,  but  not  bristled  ;  tail  short,  tarsus  and  toes  naked  ;  wings 
long  ;  length  about 5|  inches  ;  extent  about  12J,  ;  wing  about  5.10  ;  sooty-brown,  ex- 
cept throat  which  is  much  paler  than  other  parts  ;  wings  blackish. 

Habitat. — Eastern  North  America,  north  to  Labrador  and  the  Fur  countries,  west 
to  the  plains,  and  passing  south  of  the  United  States  in  winter. 

The  Chimney-bird,  unless  resting  on  its  nest  or  clinging  to  the  sooty 
chimney  sides,  is  always  seen  flying.  In  Pennsylvania  these  birds  are 
generally  first  observed  about  the  last  week  in  April.  In  the  early  au- 


Plate  44. 


Brown  Thrush. 
1,  2.  Males;   3.  Female. 


BIEDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


183 


tumn  they  collect  in  large  flocks  before  retiring-  to  their  winter  resorts. 
I  have  observed  birds  of  this  species  in  Chester  county  (Pa.),  as  late  as 
the  20th  of  October.  In  this  locality  the  nest  of  the  Chimney  Swift,  or 
Swallow,  as  it  is  mostly  called,  is  composed  of  small  twigs,  which  are 
glued  together  and  to  the  sooty  walls  of  disused  chimneys  with  the  bird's 
saliva.*  The  twigs  used  in  constructing  nests  are  broken  off  of  trees  by 
these  birds  when  on  the  wing.  The  eggs,  four  or  six  in  number,  are 
white  and  unspotted.  They  measure  about  three  fourths  of  an  inch  in 
length  and  about  half  an  inch  in  width. 

These  birds  subsist  entirely  on  various  kinds  of  insects  which  they 
collect  during  the  night  as  well  as  in  daylight. 

The  food  materials  of  twelve  birds  which  I  have  examined  are  men- 
tioned below : 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOJi-MATKRIALS. 

] 

8    1880 

Chester  county   Pa 

2 

8    1880,  .  . 

Chester  county,  Pa., 

Remains  of  beetles  and  other  Insects 

;} 

4 

June 
June 

8    1880,  
8    1880, 

Chester  county,  Pa  
Chester  county,  Pa  , 

Dipterous  Insects. 

5 

May 

]    1880  

Chester  county.  Pa  

Beetles 

6 

7 

May 
June 

1    1880  
8    1883,          .  . 

Willistown,  Pa  
Newark.  Delaware 

Beetles  and  small-winged  insects. 
Beetles  and  caterpillar 

8 
<) 

June 
June 

8    1883  
8    1883.  .          .  . 

Newark.  Delaware  
Newark   Delaware, 

Beetles. 
Beetles 

10 
]] 

June 
June 

8    1883  
2    1R84 

Newark.  Delaware  
Chester  county   Pa 

Beetles  and  dipterous  insects. 

12 

Aug. 

11    1884,  .... 

Chester  county,  Pa  

Dipterous  insects 

SUBORDER  TEOCHILI.     HUMMINGBIRDS. 
FAMILY  TROCHILID-ffi.     HUMMINGBIRDS. 

GENUS  TROCHILUS  LINNAEUS. 
Trochilus  colubris  LINN. 

Ruby-throated  Hummingbird. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  56). 

Male.  —Tail  deeply  forked,  the  feathers  all  narrow  and  pointed  ;  uniform  metallic- 
green  above  ;  sides  of  body  greenish  ;  below  white  ;  ruby-red  gorget ;  wings  and  tail 
purplish-black. 

Female.— Metallic  green  of  upper  parts  duller  than  in  male ;  tail  double  rounded  ; 
its  feathers  pointed  but  broader  than  in  male;  no  red  on  throat ;  the  tail  feathers 
banded  with  black  ;  the  lateral  ones  broadly  tipped  with  white. 

Young  Male.— Very  similar  to  adult  female,  but  throat  more  or  loss  streaked  with 
dark  ;  tail  also  more  forked  than  in  female.  Nearly  all  specimens  show  a  trace  of 
metallic  red  on  throat. 

Young  Female.— Throat  white,  without  streaks  or  specks  ;  tail  less  forked,  other- 
wise similar  to  young  male.  Irides  in  old  and  young  brown.  Length  about  3.25 
inches  ;  extent  of  wings  about  5  inches. 

*  A.  writer  in  a  recent  scientific  journal,  which  1  have  mislaid,  says  :  "  In  the  case  of  our  own  Chimney 
Swifts  it  has  lately  been  shown  that  the  gelatinous  matter  with  which  the  twigs  are  fastened  together  is 
of  a  vegetable  and  not  an  animal  character,  and  in  a  particular  case  recently  investigated  by  a  scientist, 
the  Kinn  was  found  t<>  have  come  from  a  cherry  tree. " 


184  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

Habitat.— Eastern  North  America  to  the  plains,  north  to  the  Fur  countries,  and 
south,  in  winter,  to  Cuba  and  Veragua. 

Although  fifteen  distinct  species  of  humming-birds  are  given  by  Dr. 
Elliott  Coues,  as  occurring-  within  the  limits  of  the  United  States,  only 
one — the  Euby-throat — is  found  east  of  the  Mississippi  river.  Hum- 
mingbirds, as  Dr.  Coues  observes,  are  peculiar  to  America.  Species  are 
found  from  Alaska  to  Patag-onia.  In  tropical  South  America,  particu- 
larly New  Grenada,  these  beautiful  feathered  g-ems  are  most  abundant. 
There  are,  it  is  stated,  over  four  hundred  different  species  of  hummers 
known  to  scientists. 

The  Ruby-throated  Humming-birds,  the  smallest  of  all  our  feathered 
visitants,  arrive  in  Pennsylvania  about  the  first  week  in  May  and  re- 
main until  about  the  middle  of  September,  when  they  migrate  south. 
This  species  is  common  during  the  winter  in  Florida,  where  they  also, 
it  is  said,  breed.  During  the  months  of  February,  March  and  until 
about  the  20th  of  April,  I  found  these  birds  to  be  quite  numerous  in 
the  orange  orchards  alo.  ig  the  St.  John's  river.  Although  humming- 
birds cannot  be  called  gregarious,  it  is  not  at  all  uncommon,  especially 
in  the  spring,  to  see  a  flock  of  twenty  or  more  of  these  birds  feeding 
among  the  flowers  of  some  favorite  tree.  I  have,  at  one  time,  counted 
thirty  odd  hummers,  feeding,  fighting  and  pluming  themselves  among 
the  flowers  of  a  single  horse-chestnut  tree.  I  have  never  seen  the  hum- 
ming bird  alight  on  the  ground,  *  though  it  often  rests  on  twigs  and 
branches.  When  sitting  in  trees  or  bushes  it  may  frequently  be  ob- 
served to  spread  out  one  wing  and  draw  the  quill-feathers  through  its 
bill.  The  nest,  a  beautiful  cup-shaped  structure,  is  composed  of  downy 
substances,  chiefly  of  a  vegetable  character,  covered  externally  with 
lichens  "  which  are  glued  on  with  the  viscid  saliva  of  the  little  workers;" 
in  many  instances  the  lichen  coverings  are  strengthened  by  strands  of 
cobwebs.  The  bird  is  not  at  all  particular  as  to  the  situation  which  it 
chooses  for  nest-building.  Sometimes  it  builds  in  a  honeysuckle  vine 
or  a  rose  bush;  at  otLer  times  it  erects  a  domicile  in  an  apple  or  pear 
tree,  usually,  ho  /eve  •*,  the  nest  is  built  on  an  oak  or  beech  tree-  in  the 
woods,  and  is  placed  mostly  on  the  upper  side  of  a  horizontal  limb.  It 
is  constructed  by  th->  united  labor  of  both  birds,  who  complete  the  work 
in  five  or  six  days.  In  this  locality  the  nest  is  generally  built  about  the 

*  The  following  interesting  extract  taken  from  a  letter  sent  me  by  Mr.  Charles  II.  Eldon,  of  Wil- 
liamsport  Pa. .  shows  that  this  species  has  been  seen  resting  on  the  ground : 

• '  Near  my  home  is  a  field  that  in  the  summer  time  is  used  by  a  florist  for  the  cultivation  of  flowers.  I 
have  frequently  repaired  there  in  the  evening  when  the  hummingbirds  were  making  their  meal  and 
seated  myself  quietly  among  the  bushes  (with  opera  glass  in  hand).  The  ruby-throats  would  come  quite 
close,  seemingly  unaware  of  my  presence,  and  dart  here  und  there  after  their  dainty  food,  or  pause  to 
sip  a  drop  of  nectar  from  f  >rne  opening  flower,  ever  and  anon  stopping  for  a  short  rest  upon  a  stem  or 
upon  the  ground.  When  ihey  alight  upon  the  ground  they  spread  the  tail  to  its  full  extent,  the  end 
against  the  ground,  the  wings  slightly  drooped,  resting  on  the  tail,  apparently  for  the  purpose  of  steady- 
Ing  themselves.  I  have  seen  them  playfully  chasing  each  other,  starting  from  the  ground  and  after 
several  sallies  or  playful  banters  returning  to  the  ground  sitting  quite  close  to  each  other,  when  thus 
seated  they  fluff  out  their  feathers  and  appear  plump  (sparrow  like),  quite  the  contrary  to  their  appear- 
ance when  perched  upon  a  twig,1' 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


185 


last  week  in  May.  A  nest  now  before  me  measures  a  little  over  one 
inch  and  a  half  in  height  and  one  inch  and  a  half  in  diameter ;  the  cavity 
is  three-quarters  of  an  inch  wide  and  the  same  in  depth.  This  nest  was 
built  on  the  upright  limb  of  a  beech  tree,  where  for  three  consecutive 
years  a  pair  of  hummers  regularly  nested,  each  season  building  a  new 
nest  over  the  few  remaining  fragments  of  their  abode  of  the  previous 
year.  The  white  eggs,  never  more  than  two  in  number,  are  elliptical  in 
shape,  equally  obtuse  at  both  ends  and  measure  .50  by  .33  of  an  inch. 
The  period  of  incubation  is  about  ten  days.  Occasionally,  though 
rarely  I  think,  two  broods  are  reared  in  one  season.  Although  these 
birds  feed  among  the  flowers  of  various  plants,  they  prefer  those  of  the 
horse  chestnut,  honeysuckle  and  trumpet  vine.  From  the  fact  that  these 
diminutive  creatures  are  generally  observed  about  flowering  plants,  the 
popular  yet  erroneous  belief  has  arisen  that  they  subsist  entirely  on  the 
sweets  of  flowers. 

FOOD  NOTES. 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1 

May  30,  1883,  . 

West  Chester,  Pa.  .    . 

Small  worms  and  numerous  small  spiders.* 

2 

May  30.  1883  

West  Chester.  Pa  

Small  flies  and  beetles.  * 

;{ 

May  30,  1883  

West  Chester,  Pa.  ,    

Small  flies  and  beetles.* 

4 

Mav  12   1884  

West  Chester.  Pa.     . 

Small  flies  and  beetles.* 

5 

t; 

May  14,  1884  
May  14   1884 

West  Chester,  Pa  
West  Chester.  Pa 

Small  green-  colored  beetles,  -- 
Small  green-colored  beetles  * 

y 

May  14.  1884  
May  14    1884 

West  Chester.  Pa  
West  Chester    Pa 

Small  green-colored  beetles.* 
Small  green-colored  beetles  and  flies  * 

9 

May  14    1884. 

West  Chester,  Pa.  . 

Small  green-colored  beetles  and  flies  * 

10 

May  14.  1884  

West  Chester.  Pa  

Small  green-colored  beetles.* 

11 

May  14    1884 

West  Chester   Pa 

Small  green-colored  beetles  * 

12 

May  14,  1884  

West  Chester,  Pa..             .   . 

Small  green-colored  beetles.* 

13 

May  14    1884 

West  Chester   Pa 

14 

May  14,  1884.  . 

West  Chester.  Pa,  , 

Small  green  -colored  beetles  and  spiders.* 

15 

16 

May  14.  1884  
May  14   1884 

West  Chester,  Pa  
West  Chester    Pa 

Small  green-colored  beetles  and  spiders.  •* 
Small  green-colored  beetles  and  spiders  * 

17 
18 
19 
20 

May  14.  1884  
Aug.  3,  1884  
Aug.  5,  1884  
Aug.  5,  1884  

West  Chester.  Pa.  ,    .  . 
West  Chester,  Pa  
West  Chester,  Pa  
West  Chester.  Pa  

Small  green-colored  beetles.* 
Small  black  beetles. 
Small  black  beetles. 
Small  black  beetles. 

In  addition  to  my  own  examinations  given  in  the  above  table,  it  might 
be  added  that  in  March  and  April,  1885,  I  shot  seventeen  of  these  birds 
in  the  Florida  orange  orchards  and  found  that  all  had  only  insects  in  their 
viscera.  May  14,  1886,  I  received  from  Mr.  George  Hartman  of,  West 
Chester,  Pa.,  fifteen  hummers  which  had  been  captured  while  feeding 
among  the  flowers  of  a  horse  chestnut  tree.  The  stomachs  of  these 
birds,  which  were  kindly  examined  for  me  by  Prof.  C.  V.  Biley,  ento- 
mologist, United  States  Department  of  Agriculture,  Washington,  D.  C., 
showed,  chiefly,  the  remains  of  small  spiders  and  some  few  coleopterous 
insects. 


•  These  seventeen  birds  were  all  killed  when  feeding  in  horse-chestnut  trees. 


186  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

ORDER  PASSERES.    PERCHING  BIRDS. 

SUBORDER  CLAMATOKES.     SONGLESS  PERCHING  BIRDS. 
FAMILY  TYRANNID-33.    TYRANT  FLYCATCHERS. 

THE  FLYCATCHERS. 

Of  the  several  species  of  this  highly  beneficial  family  which  occur  in  Pennsylva- 
nia as  summer  residents  or  passing  visitants  but  two,  viz  :  the  Kingbird  and  com- 
mon Pewee,  are  generally  known  to  those  who  are  not  interested  in  ornithological 
pursuits.  Both  of  these  birds  are  common  breeders  about  the  habitations  of  man, 
and  unlike  most  others  of  their  kin  are  not  shy  or  difficult  to  approach.  Although 
at  times  some  of  the  Flycatchers  descend  to  the  earth  for  food,  it  is  safe  to  say 
that  these  birds,  collectively  considered,  are  seldom  observed  on  the  ground  feed- 
ing. Nine  representatives  of  this  family  occur  in  Pennsylvania,  and  all  but  two- 
Train's  and  the  Olive-sided  Flycatchers— breed  here  regularly,  and  probably  both 
birds  last  named  breed  sparingly  and  irregularly,  within  our  limits.  I  have  been 
informed  that  traillii  has  been  seen  here  in  summer,  and  borealis—a.  very  rare 
visitor— Mr.  August  Kock  is  quite  positive  breeds  occasionally  in  the  mountain- 
ous regions  of  Lycoming  county.  Flycatchers,  as  the  name  would  indicate,  feed 
largely  on  winged  insects,  and  some  also  subsist  to  a  small  extent,  in  the  fall  and 
winter  especially,  on  small  fruit  of  different  kinds. 

"The  structure  of  the  bill  is  admirably  adapted  for  the  capture  of  winged  insects ; 
the  broad  and  deeply  fissured  mandibles  form  a  capacious  mouth,  while  the  long 
bristles  are  of  service  in  entangling  the  creatures  in  a  trap  and  restraining  their 
struggles  to  escape.  The  shape  of  the  wings  and  tail  confers  the  power  of -rapid  and 
varied  aerial  evolutions  necessary  for  the  successful  pursuit  of  active  flying  insects. 
A  little  practice  in  field  ornithology  will  enable  one  to  recognize  the  Flycatchers  from 
their  habit  of  perching  in  wait  for  their  prey  upon  some  prominent  outpost,  in  a 
peculiar  attitude,  with  the  wings  and  tail  drooped  and  vibrating  in  readiness  for  in- 
stant action,  and  of  dashing  into  the  air,  seizing  the  passing  insect  with  a  quick 
movement  and  a  click  of  the  bill,  and  then  returning  to  their  stand.  Although 
certain  Oscines  have  somewhat  the  same  habit,  these  pursue  insects  from  place  to 
place,  instead  of  perching  in  wait  at  a  particular  spot,  and  their  forays  are  not  made 
with  such  admirable  elan.  Dependent  entirely  upon  insect  food,  the  Flycatchers 
are  necessarily  migratory  in  our  latitude.  They  appear  with  great  regularity  in 
spring  and  depart  on  the  approach  of  cold  weather  in  the  fall.  *  *  *  The  voice, 
susceptible  of  little  modulation,  is  usually  harsh  and  strident,  though  some  species 
have  no  unmusical  whistle  or  twitter."— Cone's  Key. 

Bill  broad  at  base,  culmen  flattened  or  rounded  ;  the  maxilla  tapers  to  a  sharp 
point,  curved  downward  at  the  end  (being  hooked).  The  small  and  roundish  nos- 
trils are  partly  covered  with  bristles  ;  gape  wide  with  long  stiff'  bristles  ;  legs  rather 
short;  feet  small  and  weak,  with  rather  lengthened,  curved  and  sharp-pointed 
<;laws ;  tail  long,  twelve  feathers  ;  tarsi  naked  ;  sexes  alike  ;  medium  sized  or  very 
small ;  the  larger  species  have  blackish  bills,  and  smaller  kinds  usually  have  yellow- 
ish colored  lower  mandibles  ;  eyes  brown,  legs  and  feet  blackish. 

Genus,  Tyrannus  :  Head  (adults)  with  concealed  patch  of  orange-red ;  wings  long 
and  pointed  ;  second  and  third  quills  longest ;  first  and  fourth  about  equal  but  shorter 
than  second  and  third;  in  adults  the  first  two  or  three  quills  are  rather  abruptly  nar- 
rowed near  the  tips;  tarsus  little  longer  than  hind  toe  with  claw;  the  broad  and 
nearly  even  tail  is  shorter  than  the  wings ;  plumage  dark  above,  white  below,  tail 
broadly  tipped  with  white. 

Genus,  Myiarchus  :  Head  with  well  developed  crest;  wings  1'ong,  a  little  rounded, 
about  equal  to  long,  broad  and  even  tail;  first  primary  shorter  than  sixth  and 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  187 

much  shorter  than  second,  third  and  fourth,  which  are  about  equal ;  tarsus  a  little 
longer  than  middle  toe ;  plumage  above  brownish-olive,  throat  bluish-ash  ;  belly 
white,  inner  webs  of  tail  feathers  decidedly  rufous. 

Genus,  Sayornis :  Head  moderately  crested  ;  wings  slightly  pointed  ;  third  quill 
longest,  second,  fourth  and  fifth  nearly  equal ;  and  first  shorter  than  sixth  ;  tail 
slightly  forked.  Tarsus  decidedly  longer  than  middle  toe  which  is  but  little  longer 
than  hind  toe.  Plumage  above  brownish,  darkest  on  head,  below  whitish,  but  in 
fall  and  winter  lower  parts  are  frequently  quite  yellowish. 

Gemis,  Contopus  :  Head  slightly  crested  ;  wings  longer  than  the  slightly  forked 
tail  and  pointed  ;  the  first  primary  about  as  long  as  fourth ;  the  wings  are  much 
longer  than  tail ;  tarsus  short  and  stout ;  is  a  little  longer  than  hind  toe  and  scarcely 
as  long  as  middle  toe  and  claw.  Plumage  above  olive  brown,  yellowish  below  with 
darkish  patches  on  sides  of  breast. 

Genus j  Empidonax :  Head  slightly  crested  ;  wings  rather  rounded  and  not  much 
longer  than  the  nearly  even  tail ;  second,  third  and  fourth  quills  about  equal,  form 
point  of  wing  ;  first  quill  much  shorter  than  fourth  ;  tarsus  longer  than  middle  toe 
and  claw,  which  is  also  decidedly  longer  than  hind  toe.  Plumage  greenish-brown 
above,  more  or  less  yellowish  below  and  generally  grayish  on  throat. 


GENUS  TYRANNUS   OUVIER. 
Tyrannus  tyrannus  (LiNN.). 

Kingbird;  Beebird. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  24}. 

' '  Length  about  8£  inches  ;  extent  about  14|  inches  ;  above  blackish-ash  ;  top  of  head 
quite  black  ;  crown  with  a  concealed  patch  of  orange  red  ;  lower  parts  pure  white, 
tinged  with  pale  bluish-ash  on  the  sides  of  the  throat  and  across  the  breast ;  sides  of 
breast  and  under  the  wings  similar  to,  but  rather  lighter  than  the  back  ;  axillaries 
pale  grayish-brown  tipped  with  lighter ;  the  wings  dark-brown,  darkest  toward  the 
end  of  the  quills  ;  the  greater  coverts  and  quills  edged  with  white,  most  so  on  the 
tertials  ;  the  lesser  coverts  edged  with  paler  ;  upper  tail-coverts  and  upper  surface  of 
the  tail  glossy  black,  the  latter  very  dark  brown  beneath  ;  all  the  featbers  tipped, 
and  the  exterior  margined  externally  with  white,  forming  a  conspicuous  terminal 
band  about  .25  of  an  inch  broad. 

Young.—  Very  similar  but  colors  generally  duller;  the  concealed  colored  patch  on 
the  crown  wanting ;  the  tail  and  wings  in  some  specimens  often  edged  with  rusty." 

Habitat. — Eastern  North  America,  from  British  Provinces  south  to  Central  and 
South  America.  Rare  west  of  the  Rocky  mountains  (Utah,  Nevada,  Washington 
Territory,  etc.). 

This  well  known  bird  is  a  common  summer  resident  in  Pennsylvania, 
where  it  arrives  usually  about  the  25th  of  April.  The  males  precede  the 
females  in  their  arrival  by  some  three  or  four  days.  These  birds  gener- 
ally, I  think,  migrate  singly  ;  I  have  never  observed  them  in  the  spring 
in  small  flocks.  During  the  month  of  February  and  until  the  20th  of 
March,  1885, 1  saw  no  Kingbirds  in  various  localities  along  the  St.  John's 
river,  Florida,  but  from  the  20th  of  March  and  until  quite  late  in  April 
these  birds  (in  that  state  called  Field  Martins)  were  of  ten  times  met  with. 

The  technical  name  tyrannus  given  to  the  subject  of  this  present 
sketch  is  particularly  appropriate,  as  this  bird  during  the  breeding  sea- 
son is  ever  on  the  alert,  and  seemingly  anxious  to  attack  his  feathered 


188  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


neighbors.  Whenever  a  hawk  or  crow  is  observed  flying-,  even  at  a  con- 
siderable distance,  this  little  warrior  immediately  starts  in  pursuit,  and 
by  his  rapid  flight  speedily  overtakes  the  object  of  his  wrath  and  utter- 
ing- almost  continually  his  sharp  and  rapid  twitter,  is  seen  to  mount 
above  his  adversary  and  make  repeated  and  violent  assaults  on  the  head 
of  his  flying-  victim,  who,  frequently,  to  escape  further  persecution,  makes 
a  precipitate  retreat  to  a  tree,  bushes  or  the  ground.  The  nest,  a  rather 
bulky  and  loosely  made  structure,  is  composed  of  grasses,  weeds,  roots, 
etc.,  and  is  built  generally  on  the  limb  of  an  apple  or  pear  tree  in  an  or- 
chard ;  sometimes,  however,  nests  are  placed  in  oak  and  other  trees.  It 
is  built  by  the  joint  labor  of  both  birds,  who  complete  this  work  in  about 
five  days.  The  eggs,  usually  four  or  five  in  number,  are  creamy -white 
spotted  conspicuously  with  different  shades  of  brown  and  indistinct  spots 
of  bluish-gray.  The  eggs  vary  greatly  in  size ;  a  large  one  measures  an 
inch  in  length  and  three-fourths  of  an  inch  in  width.  The  period  of  incuba- 
tion is  about  fourteen  days.  From  his  favorite  perch  either  on  a  stake, 
the  top  of  a  tree  or  a  high  weed  in  the  field,  the  Kingbird  watches  for 
his  insect  prey ;  at  other  times  he  is  observed  flying  over  a  field  in  a 
manner  similar  to  that  of  the  Sparrow  Hawk,  watching  for  grasshoppers, 
crickets  or  other  insects.  As  Wilson  observes,  he  sometimes  hovers  over 
a  river  or  pond,  darting  after  insects  that  frequent  such  places,  snatch- 
ing them  from  the  surface  of  the  water,  and  diving  about  in  the  air  like 
a  swallow.  Some  few  years  ago  I  saw  a  Kingbird  dart  down  to  the 
water  in  a  shallow  pond  and  fly  off  with  a  shining  object  in  his  bill,  that 
at  the  time  I  thought  appeared  like  a  small  fish,  but  never  having  seen 
or  heard  of  this  species  feeding  on  fishes,  but  little  notice  was  taken  of 
the  bird,  which  flew  to  a  tree  some  two  hundred  yards  distant.  From 
an  article  published  in  the  Forest  and  Stream,  September  2,  1882,  and 
written  by  Milton  P.  Peirce,  it  appears  that  Kingbirds  sometimes  feed 
on  fishes.  Mr.  Peirce  writes :  "  These  birds  are  very  abundant  about 
my  premises,  nesting  in  some  cases  within  a  few  feet  of  my  residence. 
*  *  *  I  have  often  noticed  them  striking  the  surface  of  the  water 
in  my  fish  ponds,  but  supposed  they  were  either  taking  a  bath  or  else 
catching  insects  which  were  flying  near  the  surface  of  the  water.  When 
I  constructed  my  bass  pond,  a  few  years  age,  I  stocked  it  with  minnows 
to  afford  ample  food  for  the  bass.  At  times  the  entire  surface  of  the 
pond  seems  alive  with  them.  A  few  days  ago  I  observed  at  least  a  half 
dozen  Kingbirds  perched  on  trees  and  bushes,  near  the  margin  of  the 
pond,  and  almost  every  moment  some  of  them  would  dive  into  the  water 
precisely  like  a  Kingfisher,  and  I  concluded  they  were  catching  bugs  or 
other  insects,  which  were  floating  upon  the  surface  of  the  water.  Watch- 
ing them  closely,  I  soon  saw  one  of  them  leave  the  water  with  something 
preceptibly  shining  in  its  bill.  It  alighted  on  a  tree  about  fifty  yards 
from  where  I  was  sitting,  and  acted  precisely  as  a  Kingfisher  does  when 
killing  a  fish.  Taking  a  telescope,  I  took  an  observation  and  discovered 


Plate  46. 


White-breasted  Nut-hatch. 
1.  Male;  2,  Females. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  189 

that  the  King-bird  had  a  minnow  not  less  than  three  inches  long.  I  con- 
tinued my  observations  for  about  fifteen  minutes,  and  during  that  time 
these  birds  caught  several  small  minnows  and  ate  them."  Notwithstand- 
ing the  benefits  which  this  bird  confers,  destroying,  as  Dr.  Coues  re- 
marks, a  thousand  noxious  insects  for  every  bee  it  eats,  many  farmers 
and  others  who  keep  honey-bees,  are  ever  ready  to  slay  every  Kingbird 
which  visits  their  premises.  Although  it  is  believed  by  some  that  these 
birds  take  only  drone  bees,  such  is  not  the  case,  as  I  have  found  both 
drone  and  working-bees  in  their  stomachs;  Mr.  Gentry,  also,  in  speaking 
of  the  bee-eating  habit  states  that  the  Kingbird  is  no  respecter  of  kinds. 
Nuttall  writing  of  this  bird  says :  As  insects  approach  him,  or  as  he 
darts  after  them,  the  snapping  of  his  bill  is  heard,  like  the  shutting  of 
a  watch-case,  and  is  the  certain  grave  of  his  prey.  Beetles,  grasshoppers, 
crickets  and  winged  insects  of  all  descriptions  form  his  principal  sum- 
mer food ;  at  times  canker  worms  from  the  elm  are  also  collected.  To- 
wards autumn,  as  various  kinds  of  berries  ripen,  these  constitute  a  very 
considerable  and  favorite  part  of  his  subsistence ;  but,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  currants  (of  which  he  only  eats  perhaps  when  confined),  he  re- 
fuses all  exotic  productions,  contenting  himself  with  blackberries, 
whortleberries,  those  of  the  sassafras,  elder  and  poke.  The  same  writer 
further  says :  "Raisins,  foreign  currants,  grapes,  cherries,  peaches,  peal's 
and  apples  were  never  even  tasted,  when  offered  to  a  bird  of  this  kind, 
which  I  had  many  months  as  my  pensioner ;  of  the  last  when  roasted, 
sometimes,  however,  a  few  mouthfuls  were  relished,  in  the  absence  of 
other  more  agreeable  diet.  Berries  he  always  swallowed  whole,  grass- 
hoppers, if  too  large,  were  pounded  and  broken  on  the  floor,  as  he  held 
them  in  his  bill.  To  manage  the  larger  beetles  was  not  so  easy ;  these 
he  struck  repeatedly  against  the  ground  and  then  turned  them  from  side 
to  side,  by  throwing  them  dexterously  into  the  air,  and  the  insect  was 
uniformly  caught  reversed  as  it  descended,  with  the  agility  of  a  practiced 
cup-and-ball  player.  At  length  the  pieces  of  the  beetle  were  swallowed, 
and  he  remained  still  to  digest  his  morsel,  tasting  it  distinctly  soon  after 
it  entered  the  stomach,  as  became  obvious  by  the  ruminating  motion  of 
his  mandibles.  When  the  soluble  portion  was  taken  up,  large  pellets  of 
the  indigestible  legs,  wings  and  shells,  as  likewise  the  skins  and  seeds 
of  berries,  were,  in  half  an  hour  or  less,  brought  up  and  ejected  from  the 
mouth  in  the  manner  of  hawks  and  owls.  When  other  food  failed,  he 
appeared  very  well  satisfied  with  fresh  minced  meat,  and  drank  water 
frequently,  even  during  the  severe  frosts  of  January.  *  *  *  Some 
very  cold  evenings  he  had  the  sagacity  to  retire  under  the  shelter  of  a 
depending  bed-quilt."  The  few  examinations  which  I  have  made  are 
given  in  the  following  table : 


190 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1 
2 

May     5.  1880,  . 
June    S),  1880, 

Chester  county.  Pa  
New  Castle  county  Del 

Diptera  and  beetles. 
Two  honey-bees. 

I 
| 

June  9.  1880  
June  13,  1880. 

New  Castle  county.  Del  
New  Castle  county,  Del 

Stomach  gorged  .vith  honer-bee*. 
One  honey-bee. 

5 

G 

June  14,  1880  
May  21  1884 

New  Castle  county,  Del  
Chester  county  Pa 

Beetles  and  two  houey-bees. 
Beetles  and  other  insects. 

s 

June  11,  1884  
June  13.  1884 

Chester  county,  Pa  
New  Castle,  Del 

Diptera  and  raspberry  seeds. 
Beetles  and  dipterous  insects 

9 

10 

June  13,  1884.  
Aug.  10,  1881 

Newcastle,  Del  
Chester  county  Pa 

Beetles  and  larvae. 
Seeds  and  berries. 

11 
12 

July  5,  1885  
Aug.  11  1885. 

Chester  county.  Pa  
Chester  county,  Pa  , 

Various  insects. 
Colorado  potato  beetle  and  seed** 

GENUS  MYIARCHUS   OABANIS. 
Myiarchus  crinitus  (LiNN.). 

Crested  Flycatcher. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  91). 

"  Length  about  8^  inches  ;  extent  about  13£  inches  ;  head  with  a  depressed  crest ; 
upper  parts  dull  greenish-olive,  with  the  feathers  of  the  crown,  and  to  some  extent 
of  the  back,  showing  their  brown  centers  ;  upper  tail-coverts  turning  to  pale  rusty- 
brown  ;  small  feathers  at  the  base  of  the  bill,  sides  of  the  head  as  high  as  the  upper 
eyelid,  sides  of  the  neck,  throat,  and  fore  part  of  the  breast,  bluish-ashy  ;  the  rest  of 
the  lower  parts,  including  axillaries  and  lower  wing  coverts,  bright  sulphur-yellow  ; 
a  pale  ring  around  the  eyes  ;  sides  of  the  breast  and  body  tinged  with  olivaceous ;  the 
wings  brown,  the  first  and  second  rows  of  coverts,  with  the  secondary  and  tertial 
quills,  margined  externally  with  dull-white,  or  on  the  latter  slightly  tinged  with 
olivaceous-yellow  ;  primaries  margined  externally  for  more  than  half  their  length 
from  the  base  with  ferruginous  ;  great  portion  of  the  inner  webs  of  all  the  quills  very 
pale  ferruginous  ;  the  two  middle  tail  feathers  light  brown,  shafts  paler,  the  rest 
have  the  outer  web  and  a  narrow  line  on  the  inner  sides  of  the  shaft  brown,  pale 
olivaceous  on  the  outer  edge,  the  remainder  ferruginous  to  the  very  tip  ;  outer  web 
of  exterior  feather  dull  brownish-yellow  ;  bill  dark-brown  above  and  at  the  tip  below, 
paler  towards  the  base." — B.  B.  of  N.  A. 

Habitat. — Eastern  United  States  and  Southern  Canada,  west  to  the  plains,  south 
through  eastern  Mexico  to  Costa  Rica. 

The  Crested  Flycatcher,  although  probably  not  as  abundant  as  the 
preceding-  species,  is  a  common  summer  resident  in  Pennsylvania.  I 
have  seen  these  birds  in  the  southern  portions  of  this  State  as  early  as 
the  23d  of  April,  usually,  however,  they  arrive  about  the  first  of  May 
and  remain  until  late  in  September,  when  they  migrate  southward  and 
winter,  it  is  stated,  beyond  the  southern  borders  of  the  United  States. 
Although  this  species  sometimes  nests  in  orchards  and  other  places  near 
houses,  it  is  chiefly  found  in  wooded  districts.  Unlike  all  other  of  our 
flycatchers,  these  birds  build  their  nests  in  holes  of  trees,  and  occasion- 
ally in  hollow  fence  rails  or  posts.  I  have  examined  thirteen  nests  of  the 
Crested  Flycatcher,  which  were  found  in  Pennsylvania,  and  in  ten  of 
this  number  discovered  the  remains  of  cast  off  skins  of  snakes.  The 
eggs,  usually  five,  are  of  a  creamy  brown  ground  color  with  numerous 
dark  brownish  blotches  or  spots  and  lines,  the  latter  generally  of  a  purp- 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA, 


191 


lish  tint  appear  as  if  traced  with  a  pen.  The  egg's  measure  about  .86 
long  by  .65  wide.  The  nest  of  this  bird  is  constructed  of  various  mate- 
rials, such  as  feathers,  hay,  leaves,  etc.  Mr.  Gentry  some  few  years  ago 
found  a  nest  of  this  species,  near  Germantown,  which  was  placed  be- 
tween the  bifurcated  branch  of  an  apple  tree.  "  It  was  composed  almost 
entirely  of  feathers  of  our  common  Gallus,  which  were  held  together  by 
long  grasses."  The  note  of  this  bird  is  a  harsh  squeak  or  kind  of  whis- 
tle, exceedingly  unpleasant  to  the  ear,  and  which  can  be  heard  to  a  con- 
siderable distance.  The  food  of  this  species  is  mainly  of  an  insectivo- 
rous nature  ;  in  the  late  summer  and  autumn  different  kinds  of  berries 
are  oftentimes  fed  upon.  Some  writers  state  tjiat  the  Crested  Flycatch- 
ers like  the  Kingbirds,  are  equally  fond  of  honey-bees.  Mr.  Gentry  says: 
"  From  the  vast  numbers  of  ground  beetles,  which  have  been  noticed  in 
the  numerous  stomachs  which  we  have  examined,  it  is  obvious  that  the 
species  leads  almost  wholly  a  terrestrial  existence  for  a  week  or  so  after 
its  arrival.  As  the  season  advances,  and  the  higher  types  of  insects 
swarm  into  existence,  it  becomes  more  exclusively  arboreal  and  aerial, 
so  to  speak.  We  have  watched  these  birds  for  hours,  while  perched  upon 
a  dead  branch  of  a  tree,  in  the  active  enjoyment  of  procuring  a  full  meal. 
Their  movements  are  perfectly  ludicrous.  There  they  sit,  bobbing  the 
head  this  way  and  then  that  way,  now  up  and  then  down,  ever  on  the 
alert  for  caitiffs,  which  form  their  appropriate  diet.  Hosts  of  lepidop- 
tera,  both  larvae  and  imagoes,  are  greedily  devoured." 

In  the  following  table  will  be  found  the  results  of  the  few  examina- 
tions which  I  have  made  of  the  Crested  Flycatcher : 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1 

May     17,  1880, 

Chester  county    Pa  , 

Large  Hies 

2 

May    17.  1880, 

Chester  county,  Pa., 

Beetles 

3 

May    30.  1881. 

Chester  county,  Pa  

Beetles  and  flies 

4 

May    14.  1882, 

Chester  county.  Pa.  ,                                    , 

Beetles  and  larvae 

5 

June     8,  1883, 

New  Castle   Delaware,    ..... 

Larvae 

fi 

June     8,  1883, 

New  Castle.  Delaware  

Butterflies. 

7 

June     8,  1883, 

New  Castle.  Delaware.    . 

Beetles 

8 

Sept.  12,  1883, 

Chester  county    Pa 

9 

Aug.     7,  1884, 

Chester  county,  Pa.  , 

GENUS  SAYORNIS  BONAPARTE. 
Sayornis  phcebe  (LATH.). 

Phoebe;  Pewee. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  91). 

"Sides  of  breast  and  upper  parts  dull  olive-brown,  fading  slightly  toward  the  tail ; 
top  and  sides  of  head  dark-brown  ;  a  few  dull  white  feathers  on  the  eyelids;  lower 
parts  dull  yellowish-white,  mixed  with  brown  on  the  chin,  and  in  some  individuals 
across  the  breast;  quills  brown,  the  outer  primary,  secondaries,  and  tertials  edged 
with  dull  white ;  in  some  individuals  the  greater  coverts  faintly  edged  with  dull- 
white  ;  tail  brown,  outer  edge  of  lateral  leathers  dull-white,  outer  edges  of  the  rest 


192  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


like  the  back  ;  tibiae  brown  ;  bill  and  feet  black  ;  bill  slender,  edges  nearly  straight ; 
tail  rather  broad,  and  slightly  forked,  third  quill  longest,  second  and  fourth  nearly 
equal,  the  first  shorter  than  sixth. 

"In  autumn,  and  occasionally  in  early  spring,  the  colors  are  much  clearer  and 
brighter.  Whole  lower  parts  sometimes  bright  sulphur-yellow,  above  greenish- 
olive,  top  and  sides  of  head  tinged  with  sooty  ;  in  the  young  of  the  year,  the  colors 
are  much  duller  ;  all  the  wing-coverts  broadly  tipped  with  light  ferruginous,  as  also 
the  extreme  ends  of  the  wings  and  tail  feathers ;  the  brown  is  prevalent  on  the  whole 
throat  and  breast;  the  hind  part  of  the  back,  rump,  and  tail,  strongly  ferruginous. 
Length  about  7  inches  ;  extent  about  11  inches."— B.  B.  of  N.  A. 

Habitat.— Eastern  North  America,  from  the  British  Provinces  south  to  eastern 
Mexico  and  Cuba,  wintering  from  the  south  Atlantic  and  Gulf  states  southward. 

The  Phoebe  bird  or  Pewee,  so  named  from  its  note,  is  one  of  our  ear- 
liest spring  migrants ;  it  arrives  in  Pennsylvania  mostly  about  the  mid- 
dle of  March,  and  continues  in  this  region  until  about  the  15th  of  Octo~ 
ber.  A  few  individuals  sometimes  linger  as  late  as  the  first  of  Novem- 
ber. In  the  early  part  of  February,  1883,  I  saw  Mr.  C.  D.  Wood,  of 
Philadelphia,  skinning  a  Pewee  which  had  been  shot  on  the  22d  of  Jan- 
uary, 1883,  at  Spring  City,  Chester  county,  Pa. 

In  Cecil  county,  Maryland,  and  the  southern  portion  of  Delaware,  I 
have,  on  different  occasions,  seen  these  birds  as  late  as  the  25th  of  No- 
vember. During  the  latter  part  of  February,  1885,  when  camping  at 
Drayton  Island,  in  Lake  George,  Florida,  I  obtained  five  of  these  fly- 
catchers, and  found  that  all  had  fed  chiefly  on  Palmetto  berries.  The 
nest  is  generally  built  under  a  bridge  or  shelving  rocks ;  oftentimes, 
however,  this  species  is  found  breeding  about  barns  and  other  buildings. 
Although  the  Pewee  seldom  breeds  in  the  woods,  it  occasionally  builds 
its  nests  against  the  dirt  covered  roots  of  trees  which  have  been  blown 
over ;  I  have  twice  found  their  nests,  in  forests,  placed  in  these  situa 
tions.  Both  sexes  engage  in  building  their  nest,  which  is  completed  in 
about  six  days.  The  materials  used  in  its  construction  are  mosses, 
grasses,  fine  roots,  mud,  feathers,  etc.  The  eggs,  usually  five  in  num- 
ber, are  pure  white  and  unspotted ;  sometimes,  however  they  are  faintly 
spotted  with  reddish-brown.  They  measure  about  .80  of  an  inch  in 
length,  and  .55  of  an  inch  in  width.  Incubation,-  which  is  engaged  in 
only  by  the  female,  lasts  for  a  period  of  about  twelve  days.  During  the 
late  summer,  autumn  and  winter,  I  have  noticed  that  these  birds,  in  ad- 
dition to  various  insects,  feed  to  a  considerable  extent  on  different  kinds 
of  fruits,  such  as  those  of  the  raspberry,  blackberry,  poke,  wild-grape 
and  cedar.  The  young  of  this  species  are  fed  exclusively  on  insects. 

The  food  materials  of  sixteen  Pewees  examined  by  the  writer  are 
given  in  the  following  table : 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


193 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

2 

3 

Mar.  31,  1880,     . 
Mar.  31,  1880.     . 
Mar.  31.  1880.     . 
Sept  11    1880 

New  Castle  county,  Del  
New  Castle  county,  Del  
New  Castle  county,  Del.,     .  .  .  . 
East  Bradford    Pa 

Beetles. 
Purple  colored  Insects  (dlptera). 
Various  Insects  (principally  dlptera). 
Files  and  remains  of  beetles. 

5 

Oct       2    1880* 

East  Bradford    Pa  ,       .         ... 

Beetles  and  small  flies. 

o 

Oct       4    1880 

East  Bradford,  Pa  

Flies  and  small  berries. 

1 

Oct       6    1880 

WilHstown    Pa                      ... 

Files  and  beetles.* 

g 

Oct       6    1880 

Wllllstown,  Pa  

Small  worms  and  remains  of  beetles.* 

9 

Oct       6    1880 

Willistown,  Pa.,    

Grasshoppers  and  tiles.* 

10 
11 
12 

Oct.      6.  1880,     . 
Oct.      6,  1880,     . 
Oct       7    1880 

Wllllstown.  Pa  
WilHstown,  Pa.,    
Wllllstown    Pa 

Several  lacge  yellow  wasp-like  insects.* 
Numerous  flies.* 
Large  wasp-  like  insect.* 

13 

Oct       7*  1880* 

Wllllstown,  Pa  ,          .          .... 

Large  wasp-like  insect.* 

14 

Sept   30   1882 

Chester  county.  Pa.  ,   

Beetles,  grasshoppers  and  crickets. 

15 

Sept   30    1882 

Chester  county    Pa                      .  . 

Beetles  and  flies. 

16 

Sept  30   1882* 

Chester  county,  Pa.  ,  

Grasshoppers  and  few  beetles. 

GENUS  CONTOPUS  OABANIB. 
Contopus  virens  (LnsrN.). 

Wood  Pewee. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  91). 

Length  about  6£  inches;  extent  about  10;  above  dusky  brownish-olive,  darkest  on 
head  ;  sides  of  head,  neck  and  breast  similar,  but  much  paler  on  breast ;  lower  parts 
light-yellowish,  the  latter  most  conspicuous  on  middle  of  belly  ;  narrow  white  ring 
around  eye  ;  two  white  wing  bars ;  upper  mandible  blackish,  lower  yellow  (in  young 
lower  mandible  is  dusky).  The  young  are  duller  in  plumage  and  whitish  mark- 
ings on  wings,  as  well  as  feathers  of  upper  parts,  more  or  less  edged  with  pale  rusty. 

Habitat. — Eastern  North  America  to  the  plains,  and  from  sputhern  Canada  south- 
ward. 

The  Wood  Pewee,  a  common  summer  resident,  arrives  in  Pennsylva- 
nia early  in  May  and  continues  with  us  until  about  September  20.  This 
bird  is  found  commonly  in  forests  or  the  shady  retreats  of  apple  or- 
chards. During-  the  breeding  season,  particularly,  the  Wood  Pewee 
when  perched  on  the  dead  branches  of  trees,  watching-  for  his  insect 
prey,  utters  a  peculiar  plaintive  drawling  note—"pe-artveesa-pee-tveef"- 
which  once  heard  is  rarely  forgotten.  A  writer  has  very  properly  said 
that  these  notes  in  the  latter  part  of  the  summer  are  almost  the  only 
ones  heard  in  the  woods.  The  thin-bottomed,  thick- walled  and  somewhat 
saucer-shaped  nest,  built  usually  on  a  thick,  horizontal  tree  limb,  is 
composed,  internally,  of  grass  stems,  fine  fibers  of  roots  or  other  soft 
substances,  and  covered  externally  with  lichens,  which  are  held  in  place 
by  cobwebs  or  "  glued  to  the  other  materials  by  the  birds  saliva."  The 
eggs,  four  or  five  in  number,  are  yellowish-white,  with  reddish-brown 
and  lilac  spots,  generally  in  a  ring  about  the  larger  end.  They  measure 
about  .75  of  an  inch  in  length,  and  a  little  over  .50  of  an  inch  in  width. 
I  have  never  found  Wood  Pewees  feeding  on  small  fruits,  but  have 
always  observed  that  they  feed  exclusively  on  insects.  Audubon,  how- 
ever, states,  during  the  winter  months,  he  has  observed  these  birds  in 


13  BIEDS. 


Taken  in  the  mornings'  feeding  near  a  pond. 


194  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

Florida,  Louisiana  and  other  of  the  southern  states,  feeding  on  "  differ- 
ent berries,  as  well  as  insects." 

The  stomach  contents  of  thirteen  of  these  birds  which  I  have  cap- 
tured during  the  summer  time,  in  different  sections  of  the  state,  con- 
sisted of  flies,  small  beetles,  butterflies,  etc. 


Contopus  borealis  ( SWAINS.)- 

Olive-sided  Flycatcher. 

DESCRIPTION. 

"Wings  long,  much  pointed  ;  second  quill  longest;  first  longer  than  third.  Tail 
deeply  forked.  Tarsi  short.  The  upper  parts  ashy-brown,  showing  dark-brown 
centres  of  the  feathers  ;  this  is  eminently  the  case  on  the  top  of  the  head  ;  the  sides 
of  the  head  and  neck,  of  the  breast  and  body  resembling  the  back,  but  the  edges  of 
the  feathers  tinged  with  gray,  leaving  a  darker  central  streak.  The  chin,  throat, 
narrow  line  down  middle  of  breast  and  abdomen,  and  lower  tail-coverts  white,  or 
sometimes  with  a  faint  tinge  of  yellow.  The  lower  tail-coverts  somewhat  streaked 
with  brown  in  the  center.  On  each  side  of  rump  generally  concealed  by  the  wings, 
is  an  elongated  bunch  of  white  silky  feathers.  The  wings  and  tail  very  dark-brown, 
the  former  with  the  edges  of  secondaries  and  tertials  edged  with  dull-white.  The 
lower  wing-coverts  and  axillaries  grayish-brown.  The  tips  of  the  primaries  and 
tail  feathers  rather  paler.  Feet  and  upper  mandible  black;  lower  mandible  brown. 
The  young  of  the  year  similar,  but  the  color  duller  ;  edges  of  wing  feathers  dull- 
rusty  instead  of  grayish-white.  The  feet  light  brown.  Length  7| ;  extent  about  13^  ; 
wing,  4.33;  tail,  3.30;  tarsus  .60."— Hist.  N.  Am.  B. 

Habitat. — North  America,  breeding  from  the  northern  and  the  higher  mountain- 
ous parts  of  the  United  States  northward.  In  winter,  south  to  Central  America,  etc. 

The  Olive-sided  Flycatcher,  by  far  the  rarest  of  all  the  family  found 
in  this  state,  arrives  here  about  the  first  week  in  May.  Judge  Libhart 
states  that  this  species  (probably  fifteen  or  twenty  years  ago)  was  found 
as  a  breeder  in  Lancaster  county,  where,  however,  in  recent  years  it  has 
been  observed  by  Dr.  Treichler  and  others  only  as  a  very  rare  spring 
and  fall  migrant.  Prof.  August  Kock  says  it  is  seldom  seen,  but  he  is 
quite  positive  that  it  breeds  occasionally  in  the  mountains  of  Lycoming 
county,  and  Prof.  H.  J.  Roddy  is  also  of  the  opinion  that  it  occurs  as  a 
rare  breeder  in  parts  of  Perry  county.  Mr.  Geo.  B.  Sennett,  of  Erie ;  H. 
C.  Kirkpatrick,  of  Crawford ;  Dr.  J.  W.  Detwiller,  of  Northampton,  and 
Dr.  W.  Yan  Fleet,  of  Clinton,  are  the  only  naturalists,  other  than  those 
previously  mentioned,  whose  reports  have  been  sent  to  me  and  in  which 
reference  is  made  to  this  bird,  and  they  all  record  it  as  a  rare  migrant 
in  the  spring  and  fall.  A  few  specimens  of  this  species  have  been  cap- 
tured at  irregular  intervals,  in  the  spring  and  fall,  in  Chester,  Delaware 
and  Philadelphia  counties  during  the  past  fifteen  years. 


Plate  47- 


Blackcap  Titmouse, 

1,  Male;   2  Female. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  195 

GENUS  EMPIDONAX  OABANIS. 
Empidonax  flaviventris  BAIBD. 

Yellow-bellied  Flycatcher. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Bill  short  and  very  broad;  length  about  5|  ;  extent  about  8£  ;  tail  about  2.60; 
wing  about  2.40 ;  above  olive-green,  in  fact  decidedly  greenish  ;  lining  of  wings  and 
lower  parts  sulphur-yellow,  very  decided,  except  on  breast  which  is  similar  to  back, 
but  paler ;  wing  bars  yellowish-white  ;  well  marked  yellow  ring  around  eye  ;  upper 
mandible  blackish,  the  lower  yellow. 

Habitat.— Eastern  North  America  to  the  plains,  and  from  southern  Labrador 
south  through  eastern  Mexico  to  Panama,  breeding  from  the  northern  states  north- 
ward. 

The  Yellow-beDied  Flycatcher  is  reported  by  numerous  observers  to 
be  a  regular  summer  resident  in  various  parts  of  the  state,  especially  in 
the  mountainous  districts.  Prof.  August  Kock,  writing-  of  this  bird  in 
Lycoming  county,  says  it  *'  breeds  in  tangled  thickets ;  in  almost  every 
such  thicket,  interwoven  with  thorns  and  near  a  stream,  a  pair  may  be 
observed  through  the  summer."  I  have  never  found  the  nest  or  eggs  of 
this  flycatcher.  Dr.  Coues  states  that  it  nests  "in  swamps,  close  to 
ground,  in  a  stump,  log,  or  roots  of  an  upturned  tree,  thick  and  bulky, 
of  mosses,  etc.,  deeply  cupped."  The  eggs  are  said  to  be  usually  four, 
measuring  about  .70  X  .50,  bufFy  or  creamy-white,  spotted  chiefly  about 
larger  end  with  reddish-brown. 

The  note  as  described  by  Dr.  Coues  is  a  low  soft  pe-a,  uttered  slowly. 
The  Yellow-bellied  Flycatcher  is  usually  seen  perched  on  the  low  limbs 
of  trees  or  bushes,  along  the  borders  of  streams  or  ponds  in  the  woods. 
I  have  never  observed  it  on  the  high  branches  of  trees.  According  to 
Mr.  Gentry  it  is  occasionally  observed  on  the  ground,  in  active  pursuit 
of  insects,  which  contribute  to  its  bill  of  fare.  In  the  few  examinations 
which  I  have  made  of  this  species  the  following  insects  were  found : 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1 

September  22, 

1880,  . 

Chester  county,  Pa,  ,                         ... 

Beetles. 

2 

September  24, 

1880,  .   .    . 

Chester  county.  Pa  

Small  flies. 

8 

September  25. 

1880,  . 

Chester  county.  Pa.  ,  . 

Beetles  and  flies 

September  30, 

1880,  .  . 

Chester  county    Pa 

Empidonax  acadicus  (GMEL.). 

Acadian  Flycatcher;  "Hick-up." 

DESCRIPTION  {Plate  91). 

Length  about  6|  inches  ;  extent  about  9£  ;  above  grayish-green  ;  below  whitish  ; 
throat  and  middle  of  belly  white. 

Habitat— Eastern  United  States,  chiefly  southward,  west  to  the  plains,  south  to 
Cuba  and  Costa  Rica. 


196  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

For  a  period  of  about  five  months,  or  from  early  in  May  until  late  in 
September,  the  Acadian  Flycatcher  is  a  common  resident  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, frequenting  chiefly  woodland.  This  species  is  somewhat  shy 
and  difficult  to  approach,  and  like  the  Cuckoo  or  Yellow-breasted  Chat, 
is  oftener  heard  than  seen.  I  have  heard  this  bird  called  "  Hick-up " 
from  its  peculiar  note.  The  shallow,  saucer-shaped  and  loosely  made 
nest  is  placed  usually  on  a  drooping  and  forked  branch  of  a  tree  in  the 
forest,  a  dog-wood,  beech  or  hickory  generally  being  selected.  It  is 
composed  of  blossoms,  grasses,  fine  rootlets  or  fine  pieces  of  bark. 
The  majority  of  nests  which  I  have  found  in  the  vicinity  of  West  Ches- 
ter, Pa.,  were  built  entirely  of  blossoms.  The  nests  are  rarely  more 
than  eight  or  ten  feet  from  the  ground,  and  are  so  open  at  the  bottom 
that  the  eggs  can  readily  be  seen  from  below.  The  eggs,  usually  three 
in  number,  are  very  similar  in  size,  etc.,  to  those  of  the  Wood  Pewee — 
they  are  creamy-white,  spotted  with  reddish-brown.  During  the  late 
summer  and  autumn  months  this  species  subsists  to  a  limited  extent  on 
various  kinds  of  berries. 

The  food  materials  of  seven  of  these  birds  are  given  in  the  following 
table : 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1 

May  10   1879 

Chester  county,  Pa  

Beetles. 

2 

June  11    1880 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .          

Large  flies  and  larvae. 

3 

J  une  20   1880 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  

Various  Insects. 

4 

Aug  20   1882 

Berries. 

5 

Aug   30    1882 

Chester  county.  Pa.  ,  

Beetles  and  flies. 

6 

Sept.  20,  1882  

Chester  county.  Pa.  ,  

Insects. 

7 

May  20   1883, 

Beetles. 

Empidonax  pusillus  traillii  (Auo.). 

Traill's  Flycatcher. 

DESCRIPTION.  • 

"  Upper  parts  dark  olive-green,  lighter  under  the  wings,  and  duller  and  more 
tinged  with  ash  on  nape  and  sides  of  the  neck  :  center  of  the  crown  feathers  brown  ; 
a  pale  yellowish-white  ring  (in  some  specimens  altogether  white)  round  the  eye  ; 
loral  feathers  mixed  with  white  ;  chin  and  throat  white  ;  the  breast  and  sides  of 
throat  light-ash  tinged  with  olive,  its  intensity  varying  in  individuals,  the  former 
sometimes  faintly  tinged  with  olive  ;  sides  of  the  breast  much  like  the  back  ;  mid- 
dle of  the  belly  nearly  white ;  sides  of  the  belly,  abdomen  and  the  lower  tail-coverts 
sulphur-yellow  ;  the  quills  and  tail-feathers  dark-brown,  as  dark  (if  not  more  so)  as 
these  parts  in  C.  virens;  two  olivaceous  yellow  white  bands  on  the  wing,  formed 
by  the  tips  of  the  first  and  second  coverts,  succeeded  by  a  brown  one  ;  the  edge  of 
the  first  primary  and  of  secondaries  and  tertials  a  little  lighter  shade  of  the  same  ; 
the  outer  edge  of  the  tail  feathers  like  the  back,  that  of  the  lateral  one  rather  lighter  ; 
bill  above  dark  brown,  dull  brownish  beneath  ;  iris  brown.  Length  nearly  6  inches ; 
extent  about  8.75  inches. "— B.  B.  of  N.  A. 

Habitat.—  Eastern  North  America,  breeding  from  the  Middle  States  (southern 
Illinois  and  Missouri)  northward  ;  in  winter  south  to  Central  America. 

Traill's  Flycatcher,  a  somewhat  suspicious  frequenter  of  thickets,  near 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  197 

streams  or  ponds,  I  have  found  in  Pennsylvania  only  as  a  rare  spring 
and  autumnal  migrant.  In  the  spring  it  arrives  generally  early  in  May ; 
when  returning  to  its  winter  resorts  beyond  the  southern  limits  of  the 
United  States,  it  is  again  seen,  but  only  for  a  few  days,  about  the  twen- 
tieth of  September.  In  addition  to  insects,  this  species,  it  is  stated, 
feeds  also  on  different  kinds  of  berries. 

I  have  been  informed  that  Traill's  Flycatcher  has  been  seen  in  the 
mountainous  parts  of  this  state  during  the  summer.  Possibly  it  breeds 
here.  Its  eggs,  it  is  said,  are  hardly  distinguishable  from  those  of 
acadicus,  and  the  nest  is  not  flat  like  that  of  the  Acadian  Flycatcher. 
The  note,  of  traillii,  is  described  by  Coues  as  "a  flat  kewink,  Mwink, 
slowly." 

Empidonax  minimus  BAIRD. 

Least  Flycatcher. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Length  about  5|  inches ;  extent  about  8 ;  above  grayish-olive,  darkest  on  head, 
and  much  paler  on  rump  and  upper  tail-coverts;  middle  of  back  decidedly  oliva- 
ceous ;  ring  about  eye  and  few  loral  feathers  white  ;  sides  of  head  and  neck  ashy  ; 
lower  parts  whitish  with  yellowish  toward  base  of  tail ;  wing  bars  white. 

Habitat. — Eastern  North  America,  south  in  winter  to  Central  America.  Breeds 
from  the  northern  states  northward. 

The  Least  Flycatcher  is  a  common  summer  resident  in  many  parts  of 
Pennsylvania.  During  the  last  two  years  I  have  found  this  species  to 
be  very  numerous  in  different  sections  of  Crawford,  Erie,  McKean,  Cam- 
bria and  other  counties  in  the  summer  time.  This  bird,  I  have  noticed, 
frequents  the  edges  of  woods,  thickets  and  also  gardens  and  orchards. 
"  Nest  in  upright  crotch  of  tree,  shrub  or  sapling ;  small  neat,  compact- 
walled,  deeply  cupped :  eggs  three  to  four,  white,  normally  unmarked, 
rarely  speckled,  .60  to  .69  long,  averaging  .65  by  .51.  Note  a  sharp 
che-bec\  or  se-wick'."-  -Coues. 


SUBORDER  OSCINES.     SONG  BIRDS. 
FAMILY  ALAUDID-ffi.    LAKES. 
GENUS  OTOCORIS  BONAPARTE. 
Otocoris  alpestris  (LiNN.). 

Horned  Lark. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Length  about  7^  inches ;  extent  about  14  ;  bill  and  legs  blackish  ;  eyes  brown. 
Upper  parts  grayish-brown  and  pinkish-brown ;  this  pinkish  color  is  brightest  on 
nape,  rump  and  lesser  wing-coverts  ;  back  much  streaked  with  dusky.  A  streak 
from  bill  runs  back  below  eye  and  on  sides  of  head,  and  pectoral  patch,  black.  Fore- 


198  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

head  and  line  over  eye  and  lower  parts  except  the  sides,  and  sides  of  breast,  which 
are  very  similar  to  back,  white,  long  tufts  or  " horns"  black  ;  chin  and  throat  yel- 
low ;  very  long  hind  claw  ;  middle  tail  feathers  about  same  as  back  ;  the  rest  black, 
the  outer  pair  with  white  outer  webs. 

Habitat. — Northeastern  North  America,  Greenland  and  northern  parts  of  the  Old 
World  ;  in  winter  south  in  the  eastern  United  States  to  the  Carol inas,  Illinois,  etc. 

The  Horned  Lark  is  a  somewhat  common  winter  resident  in  eastern 
Pennsylvania.  It  arrives  in  this  region,  from  its  northern  breeding 
grounds,  early  in  November,  and  remains  until  about  the  last  week  in 
February.  These  birds,  during  their  residence  with  us,  are  usually 
found  in  small  parties  of  twelve  or  twenty,  occasionally,  however,  flocks 
of  a  hundred  or  more  are  seen.  The  Horned  Larks  frequent  fields,  or 
other  similar  open  situations,  where  seeds  of  different  weeds  and  grasses 
are  procurable.  When  deep  snows  cover  their  favorite  feeding  grounds, 
they  oftentimes  are  observed  in  public  roads  throughout  the  country 
districts  searching  for  food ;  they  also  at  times,  when  driven  by  hunger, 
visit  barnyards. 

According  to  Nuttall  their  food  consists  of  various  kinds  of  seeds 
which  remain  on  the  grass  and  weeds,  and  the  eggs  and  dormant  larvae 
of  insects,  when  they  fall  in  their  way.  In  the  stomachs  of  thirteen  of 
these  birds,  taken  in  Chester  and  Delaware  counties  (Pa.),  I  found  that 
eleven  had  fed  on  different  kinds  of  small  seeds ;  two,  in  addition  to 
small  seeds,  had  fed  on  grain  (particles  of  corn  and  oats). 

The  Prairie  Horned  Lark  (0.  a.  praticola,  Hensh.,)  is  the  common 
form  in  the  region  of  Lake  Erie,  where  it  occurs  as  a  regular  summer 
resident.  This  last  named  geographical  "  race  "  or  variety,  is  the  bird 
which  occurs  throughout  the  western  and  central  parts  of  the  state.  It 
is  smaller  and  paler  in  color  than  the  typical  alpestris.  The  nest  is 
built  in  a  depression  of  the  ground  in  a  field,  the  eggs,  said  to  be 
usually  four  in  number,  are  described  as  a  light-greenish  or  dull-greenish 
buff,  spotted  with  different  shades  of  brown. 

NOTE. — In  the  spring  of  1852  Mr.  John  Gorgas,  of  Wilmington,  Dela- 
ware, liberated  about  fifty  Skylarks  (Alauda  arvensis,  Linn.),  which  he 
had  imported  from  England,  near  the  city  of  Wilmington.  For  a  period 
of  about  two  years  these  birds  were  seen  at  irregular  intervals  in  the 
counties  of  Chester  and  Delaware,  Pa.,  but  in  the  fall  of  1854, 1  am  in- 
formed by  Mr.  B.  M.  Everhart,  of  West  Chester,  they  disappeared  and 
have  not  since  been  seen. 


FAMILY  CORVID<ffi.     CROWS,  JAYS,  ETC. 

THE  CROWS  AND  JAYS. 

Five  species  of  this  family  are  found  in  Pennsylvania.  The  American  Crow  and 
Blue  Jay  are  two  of  the  best  known  species,  both  are  common  and  are  found  with 
us  during  all  seasons.  The  Fish  Crow  occurs  as  a  summer  resident  in  a  few  locali- 
ties in  southeastern  Pennsylvania,  chiefly  along  the  Delaware  and  Susquehanna 
rivers.  The  Raven,  a  resident  in  the  wildest  of  our  mountainous  regions,  is,  in  some 


Plate  48. 


Golden-crested  Kinglet. 
1.  Male;  2.  Female. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  199 

parts,  reported  to  be  quite  plentiful,  and  the  Canada  Jay— called  also  Whisky 
Jack  and  Moose-bird— which  breeds  from  Maine  northward,  is  found  here  only  as  a 
rare  straggler  in  winter.  Although  of  an  omnivorous  nature,  these  birds  feed 
chiefly  on  an  animal  diet. 

"Primaries  ten  ;  the  first  short,  usually  about  half  as  long  as  the  second  ;  the  four 
outer  sinuated  on  the  inner  edge.  Nostrils  concealed  by  narrow  stiffened  bristles 
or  bristly  feathers  directed  forwards.  Tarsi  scutellate  anteriorly,  the  sides  undi- 
vided (except  sometimes  below)  and  separated  from  anterior  plates  by  a  narrow 
naked  strip,  sometimes  filled  up  with  small  scales.  Basal  joint  of  middle  toe  united 
for  about  half  its  length  to  each  lateral  one." 

SUBFAMILY  GARRULIN^B.    JAYS. 
GENUS  CYANOCITTA  STRICKLAND. 
Cyanocitta  cristata  (LiNN.). 

Blue  Jay;  Jay-bird. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  25). 

Head  crested ;  bill  rather  slender  ;  length  about  12  inches ;  extent  about  17  ;  bill 
and  legs  black  ;  eyes  brown  ;  crest  and  upper  back  a  light  purplish-blue  ;  wings  and 
tail  bright  blue  ;  lower  parts  whitish  and  grayish-white,  crossed  on  lower  throat  by 
a  black  collar  which  unites  with  black  feathers  on  sides  of  head  and  crest ;  narrow 
frontal  line  and  lores  black. 

Habitat.— Eastern  North  America  to  the  plains,  and  from  the  Fur  countries  south 
to  Florida  and  eastern  Texas. 

The  Blue  Jay  is  found  in  Pennsylvania  during  all  seasons  of  the  year, 
but  in  the  autumn  and  summer  months  this  species  is  much  more  plen- 
tiful than  at  other  periods.  This  beautiful  bird  is  an  inhabitant  chiefly 
of  forests.  During-  the  breeding-  season  the  Jays  associate  in  pairs,  but 
in  the  late  summer  and  autumn  it  is  not  unusual  to  find  them  in  small 
flocks.  I  have  seen  on  several  occasions  as  many  as  twenty -five  of  these 
birds  feeding-  in  beech,  chestnut  or  cedar  trees.  Both  sexes  engage  in 
nest-building-,  which,  in1  this  latitude,  is  begun  about  the  20th  of  April. 
A  nest  which  I  saw  the  birds  building  was  completed  in  five  days.  The 
nest,  a  strong  bulky  structure,  composed  chiefly  of  twigs  and  fine  roots, 
is  placed  commonly  in  a  tree  in  the  woods ;  sometimes,  though  rarely 
in  this  locality,  nests  are  built  in  low  bushes.  The  eggs,  four  to  six  in 
number,  mostly  five,  are  greenish  or  brownish-gray,  spotted  with  brown. 
Length  about  1.15  inches,  width  .84  of  an  inch.  In  Florida  the  Blue 
Jay  *  nests  some  five  or  six  weeks  earlier  than  in  this  latitude,  at  least  I 
suppose  this  to  be  the  case,  as  I  have  seen  these  birds  collecting  sticks, 
etc.,  as  early  as  the  first  week  in  March.  The  Blue  Jay  and  also  the 
"  Scrub  Jay  "  (Aphelocoma  floridana),  are  in  bad  repute  among  the 
Florida  farmers,  from  the  fact  that  they  (particularly  the  "Scrub  Jay") 
suck  the  eggs  of  chickens. 

Audubon  writing  of  the  Blue  Jay  says: 

*  The  Florida  Blue  Jay,  a  local  race  technically  styled  Cyanocitta  cristata  florincola.  Is  smaller  and  has 
leas  white  on  tips  of  secondary  and  tall  feathers  than  C.  cristata. 


200  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


"  It  robs  every  nest  it  can  find,  sucks  the  eggs  like  the  crow,  or  tears 
to  pieces  and  devours  the  young  birds.  A  friend  once  wounded  a 
Grouse  (Bonasa  umbellus),  and  marked  the  direction  which  it  followed, 
but  had  not  proceeded  two  hundred  yards  in  pursuit,  when  he  heard 
something  fluttering  in  the  bushes,  and  found  his  bird  belabored  by  two 
blue  jays  who  were  picking  out  its  eyes.  The  same  person  once  put  a 
flying  squirrel  into  the  cage  of  one  of  these  birds,  merely  to  preserve  it 
for  one  night ;  but  on  looking  into  the  cage  about  eleven  o'clock  next 
day  he  found  the  mammal  partly  eaten.  A  Blue  Jay  at  Charleston  de- 
stroyed all  the  birds  of  an  aviary.  One  after  another  had  been  killed, 
and  the  rats  were  supposed  to  have  been  the  culprits,  but  no  crevice 
could  be  seen  large  enough  to  admit  one.  Then  the  mice  were  accused, 
and  war  was  waged  against  them,  but  still  the  birds  continued  to  be 
killed ;  first  the  smaller,  then  the  larger,  until  at  length  the  Key  west 
Pigeons ;  when  it  was  discovered  that  a  Jay  which  had  been  raised  in 
the  aviary  was  the  depredator.  He  was  taken  out  and  placed  in  a  cage, 
with  a  quantity  of  corn,  flour  and  several  small  birds  which  he  had  just 
killed.  The  birds  he  soon  devoured,  but  the  flour  he  would  not  conde- 
scend to  eat,  and  refusing  every  other  kind  of  food,  soon  died.  In  the 
north  it  is  fond  of  ripe  chestnuts,  and  in  visiting  the  trees  is  sure  to 
select  the  choicest.  When  these  fail  it  attacks  the  beech  nuts,  acorns, 
peas,  apples  and  green  corn.  In  Louisiana  they  are  so  abundant  as  to 
prove  a  nuisance  to  the  farmers,  picking  the  newly-planted  corn,  the 
peas  and  the  sweet  potatoes,  attacking  every  fruit  tree,  and  even  de- 
stroying the  eggs  of  pigeons  and  domestic  fowls.  The  planters  are  in 
the  habit  of  occasionally  soaking  some  corn  in  a  solution  of  arsenic,  and 
scattering  the  seeds  over  the  ground,  in  consequence  of  which  many 
Jays  are  found  dead  about  the  fields  and  gardens." 

In  reference  to  the  food  of  this  species,  Mr.  E.  A.  Samuels  *  writes  as 
follows :  "  Its  food  is  more  varied  than  that  of  almost  any  other  bird 
that  we  have.  In  winter  the  berries  of  the  cedar,  barberry  or  black- 
thorn, with  the  few  eggs  or  cocoons  of  insects  that  it  is  able  to  find, 
constitute  its  chief  sustenance.  In  early  spring  the  opening  buds  of 
shrubs,  caterpillars  and  other  insects,  afford  it  a  meagre  diet.  Later  in 
the  spring,  and  through  the  greater  part  of  summer,  the  eggs  and  young 
of  the  smaller  birds  constitute  its  chief  food,  varied  by  a  few  insects  and 
early  berries.  Later  in  the  summer,  and  in  early  autumn,  small  fruits, 
grains,  and  a  few  insects  afford  it  a  bountiful  provender;  and  later  in 
the  autumn  when  the  frosts  have  burst  open  the  burs  of  chestnuts  and 
beechnuts  and  exposed  the  brown  ripe  fruit  to  view,  these  form  a  palat- 
able and  acceptable  food,  and  a  large  share  of  these  delicious  nuts  fall 
to  the /portion  of  these  busy  and  garrulous  birds." 

The  food  materials  of  Jays  which  I  have  examined  are  given  in  the 
following  table : 

*  Our  Northern  and  eastern  Birds,  p.  365. 


Plate  49. 


American  Robin. 
L  Male;  2.  Female  and  young. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


201 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1 

October,  1880,     .  .  . 

Chester  county.  Pa  

Acorns. 

2 
3 

October,  1880,     .  .  . 
October,  1880.     .  .  . 

Cheater  county,  Pa  
Chester  county,  Pa.  ,  ... 

Acorns. 
Acorns. 

4 

5 

6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 

October,  1880,     .  .  . 
October.  1880,     ... 
May    10.  1880,     .  .   . 
May    18,  1880,     .  .  . 
June  11.  1880,     .  .  . 
Sept.  28.  1882,     .  .   . 
Sept.  21,  1882,     .  .  . 
Sept.  21,  1882, 
May    25.  1883.     .  .  . 
May    25.  1883,     .  .   . 
May    25,  1883,      .  .   . 

Chester  county,  Pa  
Chester  county,  Pa  
New  Castle,  Delaware  .  .  . 
New  Castle,  Delaware  .  .  . 
New  Castle,  Delaware  .  .  . 
Chester  county,  Pa  
Chester  county,  Pa  
Chester  county.  Pa  
Chester  county.  Pa.  ,  .  .  . 
Chester  county,  Pa  
Chester  county,  Pa., 

Acorns. 
Acorns. 
Beetles  and  sand. 
Corn. 
Beetles  and  berries. 
Indian  corn  and  beetles. 
Indian  corn  and  acorns. 
Indian  corn  and  acorns. 
Vegetable  matter,  not  determined. 
Black  colored  beetles  and  sand. 
Green  colored  beetles 

15 
16 

17 

18 
19 

May    25,  1883,     .  .   . 
May    25.  1883,     .      . 
May    25,  1883,     .       . 
May    25.  1883      .      . 
May    25,  1883, 

Chester  county.  Pa.,  .... 
Chester  county,  Pa.  ..... 
Chester  county,  Pa.,  .... 
Chester  county.  Pa..  .... 
Chester  county,  Pa.,  .  . 

Black  colored  beetles,  sand  and  small  shells. 
'  June  bugs  '  and  few  other  insects. 
'  June  bugs  '  and  few  other  insects. 
'June  bugs.  ' 
'  June  bugs    ' 

20 

May    25.  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa  

'June  bugs.  ' 

21 
22 
23 

May    12,  1883,     .      . 
May    12.  1883.     . 
May     8,  1883,     .      . 

Chester  county.  Pa  
Chester  county.  Pa.,  .... 
Chester  county,  Pa.  ..... 

Beetles. 
Beetles. 
Chiefly  Indian  corn;  few  beetles. 

GENUS  PERISOREUS  BONAPARTE. 
Perisoreus  canadensis  (LINN.). 

Canada  Jay. 

DESCRIPTION. 

"Gray,  whitening  on  head,  neck  and  breast;  a  dark  cap  on  hind  head  and  nape, 
separated  by  a  gray  cervical  collar  from  the  ashy-plumbeous  back  ;  wings  and  tail 
plumbeous,  the  leathers  obscurely  tipped  with  whitish.  Bill  and  feet  black ;  young 
much  darker,  sooty  or  smoky  brown.  *  *  *  Length  10  inches  ;  extent  about  16 ; 
wing  5.25  to  5.75 ;  tail  rather  more  graduated  ;  tarsus  1.33;  bill  under  1,  shaped  like  a 
titmouse's." — Coues. 

Habitat. — Northern  New  England  and  New  York,  Michigan  and  Canada,  north- 
ward to  Arctic  America. 

The  Canada  Jay— a  very  rare  and  irregnlar  straggler  in  winter  from 
the  north— I  have  never  met  with  in  this  state.  Dr.  A.  C.  Treichler,  of 
Elizdbethtown,  has  one  in  his  collection  which  was  captured  in  Lancas- 
ter county,  February,  1889.  This  is  the  only  specimen,  so  far  as  I  can 
learn,  that  has  been  taken  in  Pennsylvania  during-  the  last  twenty-five 
years. 

SUBFAMILY  CORVINE.    CEOWS. 

GENUS  CORVUS  LINN^US. 
Corvus  corax  *principalis   RIDGW. 


Northern  Raven. 


DESCRIPTION. 


Size  large ;  entire  plumage  glossy  black  with  purplish  reflections  ;  feathers  of 
throat  lengthened,  disconnected  and  pointed  ;  bill  large  and  like  feet  black  ;  length 
about  2  feet ;  extent  4  feet  or  more. 

Not  having  any  specimens  of  Pennsylvania  Ravens  in  my  possession.  I  am  unable  to  state  positively 
whether  the  bird  found  here  Is  the  form  known  as  slnuatus,  which  occurs  as  a  common  resident  in  the 
regions  west  of  the  Mississippi,  or  the  new  sub-species  principal^.  In  the  present  state  of  uncertainty  J 
deem  It  best  to  consider  our  bird  as  the  northern  form, 


202 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


"  Habitat.—  Northern  North  America,  from  Greenland  to  Alaska,  south  to  British 
Columbia,  Canada,  New  Brunswick,  etc."—Itidffway. 

Of  all  the  numerous  birds  found  in  Pennsylvania  the  Eaven  seems  to 
be  one  of  the  most  wily  and  difficult  to  secure.  Although  not  abundant 
anywhere  in  this  commonwealth,  these  birds  are  probably  more  fre- 
quently met  with  in  portions  of  Sullivan,  Elk,  Centre,  Cameron,  Lycom- 
ing,  Clinton  and  Clearfield  counties  than  elsewhere.  The  nest  of  this 
bird,  a  bulky  structure  of  sticks,  bark,  moss,  etc.,  is  said  to  be  built  in 
March  or  April,  and  is  placed  in  trees  or  sometimes  on  rocky  ledges. 
The  following-  list  and  notes  from  different  observers  will  give  a  very 
clear  idea  of  the  localities  in  our  state  where  the  Eaven  occurs  regularly  : 


COUNTY. 

OBSERVERS. 

REMARKS. 

Allegheny.     .  . 
Bradford,    .  .   . 
Do.            ... 
Berks  
Columbia 

T.  Z.  Hazzard  
J.  L.  Camp  
J.  W.  Kitcham  
D.  F.  Keller  
Dr.  A.  B.  McCrea  

Straggler. 
Resident  in  mountains;  scarce. 
Resident;  breeds  sparingly. 
Straggler:  very  rare. 
Resident.* 

Clinton,    .... 
Clearfield 

Dr.  W.  Van  Fleet  
Dr.  W.  Van  Fleet,  

Resident;  breeds  regularly. 
Resident;  breeds  regularly. 

Cameron,    .  .   . 
Do 

M.  M.  Larrabee  
Sylvester  Bel  den. 

Resident;  regular  breeder. 
Resident;  regular  breeder. 

Centre  

J.  Preston  Thomas,  .... 

Resident;  tolerably  common  in  mountains 

Elk 

Chas.  H.  Eldon,  . 

Resident. 

Erie  

Geo.  B.  Sennett,  

Straggler. 

Do 

John  W.  Detwiller,  M.  D  , 

Saw  one  at  Lake  Erie  in  winter 

Franklin, 

H.  B.  Craig,  

A  few  reside  in  mountainous  regions. 

August  Kock, 

Resident. 

Do. 
Lackawanna,    . 
Potter,     . 
Sullivan 

Chas.  H.  Eldon  
G.  P.  Friant  
B.  H.  Warren  
Otto  Behr 

Resident.! 
A  few  seen  in  recent  years;  probably  resident. 
Resident;  have  seen  them  in  summer  and  winter. 
Resident;  regular  breeder 

Somerset,    . 
Susquehanna    . 
Venango,     . 
Westmoreland, 

York  

Dr.  H.  D.  Moore,  
Geo.  B.  Perry  
J.  R.  Robertson  
Chas.  H.  Townsend  

Hon.  G.  C.  Brown  

Very  rare;  probably  breeds. 
Resident;  breeds  regularly. 
Rare  visitor. 
Old  residents  report  a    "Crow"   of  very  large  size,  as 
once  common.     It  was  doubtless  the  Raven. 
Rare  visitor;  probably  breeds. 

Mr.  J.  H.  Ferguson,  of  Renovo,  Clinton  county,  says  Ravens  are  to  be  found  about 
nine  miles  south  of  Renovo,  in  the  mountains.  When  deer  are  killed  and  eviscerated 
these  birds  come  about  to  feed  on  the  refuse  matter ;  generally  seen  in  pairs,  but 
sometimes  several  are  together.  It  is  a  common  custom  for  this  bird  to  visit  deserted 
camps  ;  soon  as  lumbermen  or  hunters  have  left  their  camps  a  Raven,  or  several  of 
them,  will  be  seen  in  the  tops  of  tall  trees,  and  shortly  they  will  be  observed  near  the 
smoldering  embers  of  the  dying  fire,  picking  up  the  fragments  of  food. 


Corvus  americanus   AUD. 


American  Crow. 


DESCRIPTION  (Plate  57). 


Bill,  legs  and  ieet  black ;  iris  brown  ;  plumage  glossy  black  with  violet  reflec- 
tions, brightest  on  wing-coverts,  tail  and  back  ;  top  of  head  frequently  without  me- 
tallic tint — young  usually  dull  black.  The  male  is  larger  than  the  female,  and  meas- 
ures about  19  inches  in  length  and  38  inches  in  extent. 

Habitat. — North  America  from  the  Fur  countries  to  Mexico. 

*  I  have  made  diligent  inquiry  in  relation  to  the  Raven  in  the  mountains  of  this  and  the  adjoining  county 
of  Sullivan  where  they  are  comparatively  common;  they  can  be  heard  ' '  croaking"  at  almost  any  time, 
but,  owing  to  their  shy  and  retiring  habits,  they  are  hard  to  get. — McCrea. 

t  Ravens  breed  regularly  on  high  mountain  ridges,  in  tops  of  tallest  pine  trees,  in  Elk  county,  on  Dent's 
run,  a  branch  of  Benezett  creek,  which  flows  into  the  Susquehanna  at  Driftwood.  In  the  last  seven 
years  1  have  received  seven  or  eight  Ravens  from  different  parts  of  Centre.  Elk  and  Lycoming  counties.— 
Eldon. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  203 

The  crow,  readily  recognized  by  its  large  size  and  glossy  black  plum- 
age, is  a  common  resident  of  Pennsylvania  during  all  months  of  the 
year.  This  species  ranges  throughout  different  portions  of  North 
America,  but  is  found  chiefly  in  the  eastern  United  States.  In  this  lo- 
cality the  crow  commences  nest-building  in  the  latter  part  of  April ; 
both  sexes  engage  in  this  work  which  is  completed  in  from  three  to  five 
days.  The  nest,  a  very  bulky  structure,  measuring  about  20  inches  in 
diameter  and  10  inches  in  depth,  is  made  up  of  sticks,  twigs,  bark,  leaves, 
etc.  It  is  built  usually  in  an  oak,  chestnut  or  other  tree,  in  an  unfre- 
quented woods ;  nests  are  sometimes  placed  in  low  trees  or  bushes  in 
cedar  thickets.  The  eggs  vary  greatly  in  size  and  color ;  four  to  six  in 
number ;  length  about  1.65  by  1.19  inches  in  width ;  light-greenish, 
spotted  brown  and  black  with  purplish  tints.  The  note  of  this  well- 
known  bird  is  a  loud  harsh  caw.  During  the  early  spring,  fall  and  win- 
ter months  this  species  is  gregarious ;  flocks  numbering  from  fifty  to 
several  hundred  individuals  are  frequently  observed  scattered  over  the 
fields,  meadows,  along  the  highways,  or  in  the  woods  searching  for  food. 
At  night  these  birds  resort  in  great  numbers  to  favorite  roosting-places, 
such  as  pine  forests  or  cedar  thickets.  In  the  late  spring  and  summer, 
crows  are  particularly  destructive  to  young  poultry,  the  eggs  and  young  of 
small  birds,  and  frequently  nests  of  the  domestic  fowls,  especially  guineas 
and  turkeys  that  often  wander  to  a  considerable  distance  from  the  farm 
house  to  lay,  are  also  pillaged.  These  birds,  as  every  farmer  is  well 
aware,  commit  more  or  less  mischief  in  the  cornfields. 

Although  the  crow  will  rob  the  nest  of  any  small  bird  which  he  can 
get  at,  the  nests  of  the  Eobin,  Wood  Thrush,  Catbird  and  Dove  are  the 
ones  I  have  usually  seen  disturbed.  The  injury  which  the  crow  occa- 
sions by  his  egg-sucking,  bird-devouring  habit  is,  it  is  affirmed  by  emi- 
nent authorities,  more  than  compensated  for  by  the  large  numbers  of 
noxious  insects  and  mammals  which  he  devours.  Twelve  of  these  birds 
taken  in  winter  and  examined  by  me  had  in  their  stomachs  only  vegeta- 
ble materials,  viz:  Corn,  oats,  acorns,  small  seeds  and  berries.  From 
such  limited  investigations  I  am  unable  to  say  whether  the  crow  is  a 
friend  or  an  enemy  to  the  farmer. 

The  following  extract  is  taken  from  Prof.  W.  B.  Barrow's  report :  * 

SUMMARY  OF  EVIDENCE  FROM  ALL  SOURCES. 

It  appears,  therefore,  from  a  careful  consideration  of  all  testimony,  published  and 
unpublished,  thaW 

I.  Crows  seriously  damage  the  corn  crop,  and  inj  ure  other  grain  crops  usually  to 
a  less  extent. 

II.  They  damage  other  farm  crops  to  some  extent,  frequently  doing  much  mis- 
chief. 

III.  They  are  very  destructive  to  the  eggs  and  young  of  domestic  fowls. 

IV.  They  do  incalculable  damage  to  the  eggs  and  young  of  native  birds. 

*  Annual  report  of  the  U.  S.  Dept.  of  Agrl..  1888.  Food  of  Crows,  by  Walter  B.  Barrows.  S.  B..  Assis- 
•istant  Ornithologist. 


204  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

V.  They  do  much  harm  by  the  distribution  of  seeds  of  poison  ivy,  poison  sumach, 
and  perhaps  other  noxious  plants. 

VI.  They  do  much  harm  by  the  destruction  of  beneficial  insects. 
On  the  other  hand— 

VII.  They  do  much  good  by  the  destruction  of  injurious  insects. 

VIII.  They  are  largely  beneficial  through  their  destruction  of  mice  and  other 
rodents. 

IX.  They  are  valuable  occasionally  as  scavengers. 

The  careful  examination  of  large  numbers  of  stomachs,  and  the  critical  study  of 
the  insect  food  of  the  crow,  may  change  materially  the  present  aspect  of  the  ques- 
tion ;  but  so  far  as  the  facts  at  present  known  enable  a  judgment  to  be  formed,  the 
harm  which  crows  do  appears  to  far  outweigh  the  good. 


Corvus  ossifragus  WILSON. 

Fish  Crow. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Smaller  than  C.  americanus.  Glossy  black  with  green  and  violet  reflections  ;  the 
gloss  of  head,  neck  and  belly  greenish  ;  a  small  space  at  base  of  lower  mandible,  on 
each  side  bare  ? ;  bill  and  feet  black  ;  iris  brown.  Length  14  to  16  inches  ;  extent 
about  32  inches. 

Habitat. — Atlantic  coast,  from  Long  Island  to  Florida. 

The  Fish  Crow  is  a  common  and  abundant  resident,  during-  all  seasons, 
about  the  maritime  districts  of  most  and  probably  all  of  the  southern 
states.  According-  to  Audubon  they  migrate  northward  in  April  and 
ascend  the  Delaware  river  in  Pennsylvania,  nearly  to  its  source,  but  re- 
turn to  the  south  at  the  approach  of  cold  weather.  This  bird  is  also 
found  along  the  Susquehanna  from  Lancaster  southward  in  the  summer. 
Mr.  J.  Hoopes  Matlack  informs  me  that  some  few  years  ago  he  found 
the  nest  and  eggs  of  this  bird  along  the  Brandywine  creek,  some  two  or 
three  miles  from  the  borough  of  West  Chester.  Mr.  Gentry  writing  in 
1877,  says  he  has  observed  it  during  the  past  five  or  six  years  nesting 
along  the  water  courses  in  the  neighborhood  of  Philadelphia.  This  bird, 
like  the  preceding  species,  builds  in  trees.  The  nests  and  eggs  of  the 
Fish  Crow,  although  smaller,  cannot  with  absolute  certainty  be  distin- 
guished from  those  of  the  American  Crow.  The  voice  of  the  Fish  Crow, 
according  to  Wilson,  is  very  different  from  that  of  the  Common  Crow, 
being  more  hoarse  and  gutteral,  uttered  as  if  something  had  lodged  in 
the  throat.  The  common  note  of  this  bird,  Audubon  says,  resembles  the 
syllables  ha,  ha,  hoe,  frequently  repeated.  In  referring  to  the  food  of 
this  species,  Audubon  writes  substantially  as  follows :  While  searching 
for  food,  these  birds  hover  at  a  moderate  height  over  the  water ;  but 
when  they  rise  in  the  air,  to  amuse  themselves,  they  often  reach  a  great 
elevation.  Like  the  Common  Crow,  the  Fish  Crow  robs  other  birds  of 
their  eggs  and  young.  They  also  prey  upon  the  fiddler-crab,  which 
they  pursue  and  dig  out  of  the  muddy  burrows  into  which  they  retire  at 
the  approach  of  danger.  Small  fry  are  easily  secured  with  their  claws 
as  they  fly  close  over  the  water's  surface,  from  which  they  also  pick  up 


Plate  50. 


;    .AT 


Common  Blue  Bird. 
1.  Male;  2.  Female;  3.  Young. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  205 


any  sort  of  garbage  suited  to  their  appetite  ;  sometimes  they  pursue  and 
attack  the  small  terns  and  gulls,  to  force  them  to  disgorge  the  small  fish 
that  they  have  captured.  They  are  able  to  capture  live  fish  with  con- 
siderable dexterity,  but  cannot  feed  on  the  wing.  During  the  winter  and 
spring,  the  Fish  Crows  are  very  fond  of  feeding  on  many  kinds  of  ber- 
ries. As  spring  advances,  and  the  early  fruits  ripen,  the  Fish  Crows  be- 
come fond  of  the  mulberry,  and  select  the  choicest  of  the  ripe  figs,  more 
especially  when  they  are  feeding  their  young.  A  dozen  are  often  seen 
at  a  time,  searching  for  the  tree  which  has  the  best  figs,  and  so  trouble- 
some do  they  become  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  Charleston,  that  it  is 
found  necessary  to  station  a  man  near  a  fig  tree  with  a  gun.  They  also 
eat  pears,  as  well  as  various  kinds  of  huckleberries. 


FAMILY  ICTERID-ffi.     BLACKBIRDS,  ORIOLES,  ETC. 

Nine  species  and  one  race  of  this  family  are  found  in  Pennsylvania.  With  the  ex- 
ception of  the  Yellow-headed  Blackbird,  which  occurs  sometimes,  it  is  said,  in  the 
western  part  of  the  state,  straggling  here  from  western  North  America,  all  of  these 
birds  are  common  ;  some  reside  with  us  during  all  months  of  the  year  ;  the  Rusty 
Blackbird  retires  considerablv  north  of  this  latitude  to  breed,  but  all  the  others  rear 
their  young  within  our  limits.  In  the  Cowbird  and  Bobolink  the  bill  is  short,  stout 
and  very  similar  to  that  of  a  sparrow's,  but  this  organ  in  other  birds  of  this  family  is 
rather  long  and  slender.  In  the  neighborhood  of  Lake  Erie  the  Redwing  is  known 
to  gunners  as  Reed-bird,  and  I  have  heard  farmers  who  reside  in  the  vicinity  of 
Conneaut  lake  in  Crawford  county,  and  also  others  living  about  Lake  Erie,  say  that 
these  "Reed-birds?'  commit  serious  depredations  in  their  cornfields  in  the  latter 
part  of  summer  and  in  the  early  fall. 


GENUS  DOLICHONYX  SWAINSON. 
Dolichonyx  oryzivorus    (LiNN.) 

Bobolink  ;  Reed-bird. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  26  male  and  female  in  spring). 

Bill  short,  stout,  conical  and  much  shorter  than  head  ;  tail  feathers  sharp-pointed 
and  stiff,  quite  like  a  woodpecker's ;  claws  all  very  large ;  middle  toe  very  long, 
measuring  with  claw  1.25  inches  ;  bill  dark,  lighter  at  base  of  lower  mandible  ;  legs 
and  feet  (freshly  killed  specimens)  brownish-yellow ;  iris  brown.  General  color  of 
male  in  spring  and  during  breeding  season  (June  and  July)  black;  the  nape 
brownish-cream  color ;  a  patch  on  the  side  of  the  breast,  the  scapulars  and  rump 
white,  shading  into  light  ash  on  the  upper  tail-coverts  and  the  back  below  the  inter- 
scapular  region.  In  autumn  similar  to  the  ibmale.  In  the  early  autumn  males  are 
often  seen  with  black  feathers  (sometimes  though  seldom  in  patches)  on  the  breast. 

Female,  yellowish  beneath ;  two  stripes  on  the  top  of  the  head,  and  the  upper 
parts  throughout,  except  the  back  of  the  neck  and  rump,  and  including  all  the  wing 
feathers  generally,  dark-brown,  all  edged  with  brownish-yellow ;  which  becomes 
whiter  nearer  the  tips  of  the  quills ;  the  sides  sparsely  streaked  with  dark-brown, 
and  a  similar  stripe  behind  the  eye  ;  there  is  a  superciliary  and  a  median  band  of 
yellow  on  the  head. 


206  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

Length  of  male  about  7.25  inches  ;  extent  about  12.25  inches.  Female  averages  a 
little  smaller. 

Habitat.— Eastern  North  America  to  the  great  plains ;  north  to  southern  Canada  ; 
south  in  winter  to  the  West  Indies  and  South  America.  Breeds  from  the  Middle 
States  northward,  and  winters  south  of  the  United  States. 

Bobolinks  are  known  by  a  variety  of  common  names.  The  terms 
"  Bobolink  "  and  "  Meadow  Wink  "  are  applied  in  imitation  of  its  voice ; 
the  appellation  "  Skunk-blackbird,"  notes,  as  Dr.  Coues  remarks,  the 
resemblance  in  color  to  the  obnoxious  quadruped.  When  the  Bobolink 
has  shed  his  showy  dress  of  black,  white  and  yellow,  he  frequents  chiefly 
the  reedy  marshes  of  tide-rivers,  and  is  known  as  "  Reed-bird ;"  in  the 
Carolinas,  Georgia  and  elsewhere  in  the  south,  they  congregate  in  great 
numbers  on  the  rice-fields,  where  they  are  called  "Bice-birds."  In  the 
West  Indies  these  birds,  from  their  excessive  fatness,  are  known  as 
"Butterbirds."  "The  name  '  Ortolan,'  applied  by  some  gunners  and 
restaurateurs  to  this  bird,  as  well  as  to  the  Carolina  Bail  (Porzana 
Carolina)  is  in  either  case  a  strange  misnomer,  the  Ortolan  being  a 
fringilline  bird  of  Europe,  Emberiza  hortulana,  Linn." — Coues.  Notwith- 
standing the  fact  that  the  Beed-bird  is  much  larger  than  the  English 
Sparrow,  many  game  dealers  are  in  the  habit  of  "  bunching  "  the  two 
species  and  disposing-  of  them  as  "  Beed-birds."  The  Beed-bird,  how- 
ever, can  easily  be  recognized  by  the  pointed  tail  feathers,  long  legs  and 
claws ;  the  tail  feathers  of  the  sparrow  are  not  pointed,  and  the  legs  and 
claws  are  short.  Even  when  both  birds  are  picked  and  their  legs  and 
heads  cut  off,  the  Beed-bird  can  mostly  be  distinguished  by  its  plump, 
yellow  and  oily  body :  the  carcass  of  a  fat  sparrow  is  never  uniformly 
yellow,  but  is  dark  colored,  with  narrow  streaks  of  yellow.  The  Bobo- 
links arrive  in  Pennsylvania,  in  flocks  of  from  eight  to  twenty -five  in- 
dividuals, from  May  5th  to  20th.  The  males  generally  make  their  ap- 
pearance about  the  fields,  meadows  and  orchards  several  days  in  advance 
of  the  females;  they  also  appear  to  proceed  much  more  leisurely  on 
their  vernal  migrations,  than  the  females.  Both  sexes  migrate  chiefly 
at  night  when  their  "  mellow  metallic  chink "  may  be  heard  both  in 
spring  and  fall.  The  song  of  the  Bobolink  is  a  peculiar,  rapid,  jingling, 
indescribable  medley  of  sounds,  started  first  by  one  bird,  quickly  fol- 
lowed by  another  and  another,  until  the  whole  flock  are  engaged,  when, 
suddenly,  without  any  apparent  reason,  they  all,  at  the  same  instant,  stop 
their  vocal  concert.  When  the  male  assumes  the  livery  of  the  female  he 
appears  to  lose  his  vocal  powers,  and  is  only  heard  to  utter  a  sharp 
clinking  note  like  that  of  the  female.  These  birds,  according  to  my 
experience,  occur  in  southeastern  Pennsylvania  mainly  as  passing  visi- 
tants *  during  the  spring  and  fall  when  they  are  common.  The  nests 

*  Nests  of  this  species,  it  is  said,  have  on  one  or  two  occasions  been  found  in  Chester  county,  and 
young  unable  to  fly  have  once  been  taken  in  Delaware  county,  Pa.  From  numerous  reports  received  it 
appears  that  the  Bobolink  breeds  more  or  less  regularly  in  nearly  all  parts  of  the  state,  but  as  a  summer 
bird  it  is  far  more  numerous  in  counties  of  the  western-and  northern  parts  of  the  state  than  elsewhere. 
The  species  is  common  in  summer  in  parts  of  Erie,  Crawford,  Warren,  Mercer,  Bradford  and  Susque 
hanna  counties. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  207 

and  eggs  are  described  by  Dr.  Coues  as  follows :  "  The  Bobolink  makes 
a  rude  and  flimsy  nest  of  dried  grass  on  the  ground,  and  lays  four  or 
five  eggs,  0.85  long  by  about  0.63  broad,  dull  bluish-white,  sometimes 
brownish-white,  spotted  and  blotched  with,  dark  chocolate  or  blackish- 
brown  surface  marks,  and  others  of  paler  hue  in  the  shell.  The  nests 
are  cunningly  hidden,  and  often  further  screened  from  threatened  ob- 
servation by  ingenious  devices  of  the  parents." — (From  Birds  of  North- 
west.) The  food  of  these  birds,  during  their  spring  sojourn  in  Pennsyl- 
vania is  composed  chiefly  of  different  kinds  of  terrestrial  insects,  also 
the  seeds  of  various  weeds,  grasses,  etc.  I  have  examined  the  stomach 
contents  of  twenty-seven  Bobolinks  (captured  in  Chester  county,  Pa., 
May,  1879,  '80,  '82  and  '83),  and  found  that  eighteen  had  fed  exclusively 
on  beetles,  larvae,  ants  and  a  few  earth-worms ;  five,  in  addition  to  insects 
and  larvae,  showed  small  seeds,  and  particles  of  green  vegetable  materials, 
apparently  leaves  of  plants;  the  four  remaining  birds  revealed  only 
small  black  and  yellow  colored  seeds.  After  the  breeding  season  the 
Reed-birds  (both  sexes),  about  the  middle  of  August,  again  make  their 
appearance  in  our  meadows  and  grain  fields.  At  this  time,  although 
various  forms  of  insects  are  abundant,  they  subsist  almost  entirely  on  a 
vegetable  diet.  They  visit  the  cornfields,  and,  in  company  with  the 
English  Sparrow,  prey  to  a  more  or  less  extent  on  the  corn ;  like  the 
sparrow  they  tear  open  the  tops  of  the  husk  and  eat  the  milky  grain. 
Fields  of  Hungarian  grass  are  resorted  to  and  the  seed  eagerly  devoured. 
The  different  seeds  of  weeds  and  grasses  which  grow  so  luxuriantly  in 
the  marshy  swamps  and  meadows  are  likewise  fed  upon  with  avidity. 

The  following  interesting  remarks,  relative  to  the  Rice-birds,  are  taken 
from  the  annual  report  of  the  Agricultural  Department,  for  the  year 
1886,  by  Dr.  C.  Hart  Merriam,  ornithologist,  United  States  Department 
of  Agriculture,  Washington,  D.  C. : 

"  One  of  the  most  important  industries  of  the  southern  states,  the  cul- 
tivation of  rice,  is  crippled  and  made  precarious  by  the  bi-annual  attacks 
of  birds.  Many  kinds  of  birds  feed  upon  rice,  but  the  bird  which  does 
the  most  injury  than  all  the  rest  is  the  Bobolink  (DolicJionyx  oryzivorus). 
*  The  name  of  "  Rice-bird  "  is  familiar  to  most  persons  in  the 
north,  but  the  magnitude  of  its  depredations  is  hardly  known  outside 
of  the  narrow  belt  of  rice  fields  along  the  coasts  of  a  few  of  the  southern 
states.  Innumerable  hosts  of  these  birds  visit  the  fields  at  the  time  of 
planting  in  spring,  devouring  the  seed-grain  before  the  fields  are 
flooded,  and  again  at  harvest-time  in  the  fall,  when,  if  maturing  grain  is 
'in  the  milk,'  they  feed  upon  it  to  a  ruinous  extent.  To  prevent  total 
destruction  of  the  crop  during  the  periods  of  bird  invasion  thousands 
of  men  and  boys,  called  '  bird-minders,'  are  employed,  hundreds  of  thou- 
sands of  pounds  of  gunpowder  are  burned,  and  millions  of  birds  are 
killed.  Still  the  number  of  birds  invading  the  rice  fields  each  year 


208  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

seems  in  no  way  diminished,  and  the  aggregate  annual  loss  they  occa- 
sion is  about  $2,000,000." 

Extracts  from  a  letter  from  Capt.  William  Miles  Hazzard,  of  Annandale, 
S.  C.,  one  of  the  largest  rice-growers  in  the  state. 

"  The  Bobolinks  make  their  appearance  here  during  the  latter  part  of 
April.  At  that  season  their  plumage  is  white  and  black,  and  they  sing 
merrily  when  at  rest.  Their  flight  is  always  at  night.  In  the  evening 
there  are  none.  In  the  morning  their  appearance  is  heralded  by  the 
popping  of  whips  and  firing  of  musketry  by  the  bird-minders  in  their 
efforts  to  keep  the  birds  from  pulling  up  the  young  rice.  This  warfare 
is  kept  up  incessantly  until  about  the  25th  of  May,  when  they  suddenly 
disappear  at  night.  Their  next  appearance  is  in  a  dark-yellow  plumage, 
as  the  Eice-bird.  There  is  no  song  at  this  time,  but  instead  a  chirp,  which 
means  ruin  to  any  rice  found  in  milk.  My  plantation  record  will  show 
that  for  the  past  ten  years,  except  when  prevented  by  stormy  south  or 
southwest  winds,  the  Eice-birds  have  come  punctually  on  the  night  of 
the  21st  of  August,  apparently  coming  from  seaward.  All  night  their 
chirp  can  be  heard  passing  over  our  summer  homes  on  South  Island, 
which  island  is  situated  six  miles  to  the  east  of  our  rice  plantations,  in 
full  view  of  tne  ocean.  Curious  to  say,  we  have  never  seen  this  flight 
during  the  day.  During  the  nights  of  August  21, 22,  23  and  24,  millions 
of  these  birds  make  their  appearance  and  settle  in  the  rice  fields.  From 
the  21st  of  August  to  the  25th  of  September  our  every  effort  is  to  save 
the  crop.  Men,  boys  and  women  are  posted  with  guns  and  ammunition 
to  every  four  or  five  acres,  and  shoot  daily  an  average  of  about  one  quart 
of  powder  to  the  gun.  This  firing  commences  at  first  dawn  of  day  and 
is  kept  up  until  sunset.  After  all  this  expense  and  trouble  our  loss  of 
rice  per  acre  seldom  falls  under  five  bushels,  and  if  from  any  cause  there 
is  a  check  to  the  crop  during  the  growth,  which  prevents  the  grain  from 
being  hard,  but  in  milky  condition,  the  destruction  of  such  fields  is  com- 
plete, it  not  paying  to  cut  and  bring  the  rice  out  of  the  field.  We  have 
tried  every  plan  to  keep  these  pests  off  our  crops  at  less  expense  and 
manual  labor  than  we  now  incur,  but  have  been  unsuccessful.  Our  pres- 
ent mode  is  expensive,  imperfect  and  thoroughly  unsatisfactory,  yet  it 
is  the  best  we  can  do.  I  consider  these  birds  as  destructive  to  rice  as 
the  caterpillar  is  to  cotton,  with  this  difference,  that  these  Eice-birds 
never  fail  to  come.  If  the  government  could  devise  some  means  to  aid 
us  in  keeping  off  these  birds  it  would  render  us  great  assistance.  The 
loss  by  birds  and  the  expense  of  minding  them  off  in  order  to  make 
anything,  renders  the  cultivation  of  rice  a  dangerous  speculation.  Dur- 
ing the  bird  season  we  employ  about  one  hundred  bird-minders,  who 
shoot  from  three  to  five  kegs  of  powder  daily,  of  twenty-five  pounds 
each ;  add  to  this  shot  and  caps,  and  you  will  have  some  idea  what  these 
birds  cost  one  planter." 


BIRDS,  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  209 


GENUS  MOLOTHRUS  SWAINSON. 
Molothrus  ater  (BODD.). 

Cowbird ;  Cow  Bunting ;  Cow  Blackbird. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  57). 

Bill  short,  stout,  about  two-thirds  as  long  as  head  ;  tail  nearly  even  or  very  slightly 
rounded  ;  bill  and  feet  black  ;  iris  brown. 

Male  with  the  head,  neck  and  anterior  half  of  breast  deep  brown,  with  slight  pur- 
plish gloss  ;  rest  of  body  lustrous  black,  with  a  violet-purple  gloss,  next  to  the 
brown,  of  steel-blue  on  the  back,  and  of  green  elsewhere. 

Female.— Plain  grayish-brown,  lighter  on  the  under  parts. 

Young.— Dull  dusky-brown  above,  feathers  edged  with  grayish,  lower  parts  light 
brownish-gray  more  or  less  streaked  or  spotted  with  darker  markings.  In  the  late 
summer  and  early  autumn  the  young  male  can  often  be  distinguished  by  the  con- 
spicuous black  patches  on  the  body.  The  female  is  smaller  than  the  male.  An 
adult  male  measures  about  8  inches  in  length  and  13|  inches  in  extent. 

Habitat. — United  States,  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific,  north  into  southern 
British  America,  south,  in  winter,  into  Mexico. 

This  well-known  bird  is  a  common  summer  resident  in  Pennsylvania. 
It  arrives  here  late  in  March  or  early  in  April,  and  migrates  southward 
about  the  middle  of  October.  These  polygamous  birds,  at  all  times,  are 
gregarious.  In  the  autumn  these  birds,  frequently  in  company  with  the 
Crow  Blackbirds  and  robins,  collect  in  large  flocks  in  thickets,  where 
they  roost  during  the  night.  When  "  coming  in "  to  these  roosting 
places  the  flocks  of  Cowbirds  do  not  scatter  and  alight  in  the  surround- 
ing trees  and  bushes,  as  the  Crow  Blackbirds  are  accustomed  to  do,  but 
they  fly  in  a  compact  body  directly  to  the  thick  bushy  covert,  where 
they  remain,  and  unless  disturbed  are  seldom  heard  to  utter  their  harsh, 
rattling  chuckle.  The  Cowbird  builds  no  nest,  nor  does  she  attempt  to 
rear  her  young ;  when  desirous  of  laying,  she  quietly  slips  away  from 
her  companions,  arid  finding  a  nest  deposits  her  egg,  and  flies  off  to 
join  her  comrades  feeding  in  the  fields,  or,  perhaps,  assembled  in  a  tree- 
top.  Although  the  Cowbird  generally  selects  the  nests  of  small  birds, 
she  never  gains  access  to  the  same  by  force,  but  pays  her  visit  when  the 
owners  are  absent.  Sometimes  birds  whose  homes  have  been  invaded 
by  these  feathered  parasites  abandon  their  nests,  mostly,  however  (par- 
ticularly if  one  or  more  of  their  own  eggs  have  been  deposited),  they 
submit  to  the  imposition  and  rear  the  young  Cowbirds.  The  Yellow 
Warbler,  occasionally,  will  build  a  new  nest  above  that  in  which  the  un- 
welcome egg  is  deposited.  I  have  twice  found  broken  eggs  of  Cowbirds 
on  the  ground  near  nests  of  the  Yellow-breasted  Chat,  and  on  three  oc- 
casions have  discovered  the  shattered  remains  of  these  eggs  directly  be- 
neath the  pendant  nests  of  Baltimore  Orioles.  It  may  be  that  these  two 
species,  sometimes  at  least,  toss  out  the  alien  eggs.  While  it  is  mostly 
observed  that  the  Cowbird  lays  in  the  nests  of  birds  much  smaller  than 
14  BIRDS. 


210  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

herself,  she  also,  at  times,  drops  eggs  in  nests  of  larger  species.  Dr. 
Coues  mentions  among  the  Cowbird's  larger  foster-parents,  the  Wood 
Thrush,  Yellow-breasted  Chat,  Kingbird  and  Towhee;  on  one  occa- 
sion I  saw  two  eggs  in  the  nest  of  a  Cardinal,  and  have  twice 
seen  eggs  in  nests  of  Wood  Thrushes.  Both  nests  of  the  species 
last  named  were,  however,  abandoned.  From  the  fact  that  one  Cow- 
bird's  egg  is  usually  seen  in  a  nest,  I  judge  that  this  bird  only  deposits 
a  single  egg  in  a  nest.  I,  of  course,  am  well  aware  that  sometimes  two, 
three  or  more  Cowbird  eggs  may  be  discovered  in  a  single  nest,  yet  this 
is  no  evidence  that  these  eggs  were  deposited  by  one  bird.  The  num- 
ber of  eggs  which  this  bird  lays  is  unknown ;  they  are  white,  speckled 
or  blotched  with  brown ;  vary  greatly  in  size,  but  average,  probably, 
about  .88  in  length  and  .65  in  width.  In  addition  to  the  species  pre- 
viously named,  I  have  found  Cowbirds'  eggs  or  young  in  the  charge  of 
the  following-named  birds:  Bed  and  White-Eyed  Vireos,  Ovenbird, 
Maryland  Yellow-throat,  Scarlet  Tanager,  Song  and  Chipping  Sparrows, 
Indigobird,  Worm-eating  Warbler,  Acadian  Flycatcher  and  Baltimore 
Oriole.  This  species  frequents  ploughed  fields,  woods  and  pasture 
grounds,  mingles  freely  among  cattle  and  may  often  be  observed  perched 
on  their  backs.  The  food  of  these  birds  consists  of  seeds,  grains,  ber- 
ries and  insects.  Although  Cowbirds  subsist  to  a  small  extent  on  wheat 
and  rye,  they  never,  I  think,  like  the  English  Sparrow,  attack  these 
cereals  when  growing.  The  seeds  of  clover,  timothy,  fox-tailed  grass, 
bitter-weed,  etc.,  are  included  in  their  bill  of  fare  ;  blackberries,  huckle- 
berries, cedarberries,  wild  cherries  and  the  summer  grape  ( Vitis  cestivalis, 
Mz.)  are  eaten.  They  subsist  to  a  very  great  extent,  however,  on  insects ; 
large  numbers  of  grasshoppers,  beetles,  grubs  and  "worms  "  are  eagerly 
devoured. 

GENUS  AGELAIUS  VIEILLOT. 
Agelaius  phoeniceus  (LINN.)- 

Red-winged  Blackbird  ;  Swamp  Blackbird. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  27). 

Bill,  legs  and  feet  (dried  specimens)  black  ;  iris  brown  ;  male  larger  than  female. 

Adult  male. — Uniform  lustrous  black  ;  shoulders  and  lesser  wing-coverts  scarlet, 
bordered  with  brownish-yellow. 

Adult  female. — Above  dusky-brown,  streaked  with  lighter  and  darker  shades ; 
below  whitish  streaked  with  brown  ;  throat,  chin,  edge  of  wing,  tinged  with  pink  or 
yellowish,  but  mostly  pink,  in  the  spring  and  summer  at  least.  The  female  differs 
greatly  in  appearance  ;  the  prevailing  color  above  is  brownish-black,  all  the  leathers 
margined  with  reddish-brown  ;  some  of  those  on  the  back  with  brownish-yellow, 
which,  on  the  median  and  greater  wing-coverts,  form  two  bands  ;  the  under  parts 
are  dull-whitish,  each  feather  broadly  streaked  centrally  with  dark-brown  ;  the  chin 
and  throat  yellowish,  and  but  little  streaked  ;  there  is  a  distinct  whitish  superciliary 
streak  along  side  the  head,  tinged  anteriorly  with  brownish-yellow,  and  another  less 
distinct  in  the  median  line  of  the  crown.  The  young  male,  at  first  very  similar  to 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


211 


the  female,  may  soon  be  recognized  by  the  black  feathers  appearing  singly  or  in 
patches  ;  immature  males  exhibit  every  possible  condition  of  coloration  between  that 
of  the  old  female  and  of  the  adult  male. 

Male  measures  about  9§  inches  in  length  and  15.25  inches  in  extent 
Habitat. — North  America  in  general,  from  Great  Slave  Lake  south  to  Costa  Rica. 

The  Swamp  or  Red-winged  Blackbird,  as  this  well-known  species  is 
usually  designated,  is  a  common  summer  resident  in  Pennsylvania. 
Arrives  in  small  flocks  about  March  20  ;  males  come  a  few  days  in  ad- 
vance of  females ;  both  sexes  in  company  leave  during1  the  latter  part  of 
September.  These  birds,  mainly  terrestial  when  feeding,  frequent  prin- 
cipally meadows,  fields  and  swamps.  Nests,  built  early  in  May  and  also 
in  July  (two  broods  being  sometimes  raised  in  this  locality),  are  placed 
in  tussocks  of  grass  or  in  low  bushes,  preferably  along  the  borders  of 
streams  or  ponds.  Nest,  Dulky,  composed  chiefly  of  coarse  grasses, 
lined  with  finer  grass  ;  those  built  on  bushes  are  mostly  very  compact, 
others  are  generally  loose  and  carelessly  constructed.  The  eggs,  four 
to  six,  a  little  less  than  an  inch  long,  and  not  quite  three-fourths  of  an 
inch  broad,  are  light-bluish,  spotted,  blotched  and  lined  with  black  and 
purplish-brown.  Sometimes  several  females,  with  only  one  male  will  be 
found  breeding  in  a  swamp  or  field,  at  other  times  the  male  appears  to 
devote  his  exclusive  attention  to  one  female.  A  dozen  or  more  nests 
may  frequently  be  seen  in  close  proximity  to  each  other,  and  their 
owners  always  appear  on  friendly  terms ;  when  these  nesting-places  are 
approached  the  Bed-wings  hover  over  your  head  and  utter  sharp  piteous 
cries. 

Although  Swamp  Blackbirds  sometimes  visit  cornfields  during  the 
planting  season,  and  also  again  when  the  corn  is  in  the  milky  state,  the 
amount  of  grain  which  they  take  or  injure  is  so  small  that  the  farmer  is 
seldom  heard  to  utter  a  complaint  against  them. 

The  following  twenty  odd  records  will  suffice  to  show  the  general 
nature  of  the  food  during  the  months  of  March,  April  and  May : 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1       March   8. 

1880 

Chester  county. 

Pa. 

Beetles. 

2 

March  18, 

1882 

Chester  county. 

Pa. 

Beetles. 

3 

March  18. 

1882 

Chester  county, 

Pa. 

Small  seeds. 

rter. 

4 

5 

March  18, 
March  18. 

I«n2 
1882 

Chester  county. 
Chester  county, 

Pa. 
Pa. 

Beetles  and  small  amount  of  undetermined  vegetable  mat- 
Grubs  and  few  seeds. 

6 

7 

March  18. 
March  31, 

1882 
(883 

Chester  county, 
Chester  county. 

Pa. 
Pa. 

Beetles  and  particles  of  Indian  corn. 
Small  black-  colored  seeds. 

8 

March  31. 

1883 

Chester  county, 

Pa. 

1  Grass  seeds. 

9 

April    12, 

ISS3 

Chester  county, 

Pa. 

Small  seeds  and  Insects. 

10 

April    14. 

1883 

Chester  county. 

Pa. 

Small  seeds  and  beetles. 

11 

April    14. 

ls,s:i 

Chester  county. 

Pa. 

Small  seeds  and  beetles. 

12 

April     14. 

1883 

Chester  county. 

Pa. 

Beetles  chiefly  ,  some  few  small  seeds. 

[matter. 

13 
14 

April    14. 
May       3. 

1883 
1880 

Chester  county. 
Chester  county. 

Pa. 
Pa. 

Beetles  chiefly  and  small  amount  undetermined 
Insects,  with  apparently  few  blades  of  grass  (?). 

vegetable 

15 

May      20, 

1883 

Chester  county. 

Pa. 

Beetles  and  grubs. 

16 

May     20. 

isss 

Chester  county. 

Pa. 

Corn   "cutworms." 

17 

May      20. 

IHS3 

Chester  county. 

Pa. 

Beetles  and  other  insects. 

18 

May     20. 

ISM 

Chester  county, 

Pa. 

Beetles  and  other  Insects. 

19 

May     20. 

1888 

Chester  county. 

Pa. 

Beetles  and  '  •  cut  worms.  " 

20 

May      20. 

1883 

Chester  county. 

Pa. 

Brown-colored  seeds. 

21 

May      28. 

1S83 

Chester  county. 

Pa. 

Cut  worms  and  beetles. 

22 

May     28. 

1883 

Chester  county, 

Pa. 

Black-colored  seeds. 

23 

May      28. 

ISKi 

Chester  county. 

Pa. 

Beetles  and  few  small  seeds. 

24 

May      28. 

1883 

Chester  county. 

Pa. 

Chiefly  •  '  cut  worms"  and  traces  of  beetles. 

25 

May       3, 

1884 

Chester  county. 

Pa. 

Purple-colored  ties. 

212  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


The  Bed-wing,  like  the  Crow  Blackbird,  destroys  large  numbers  of 
"cut-worms."  I  have  taken  from  the  stomach  of  a  single  Swamp  Black- 
bird as  many  as  twenty-eight  "  cut-worms."  In  addition  to  the  insects, 
etc.,  mentioned  above,  these  birds  also,  during-  their  residence  with 
us,  feed  on  earth-worms,  grasshoppers,  crickets,  plant-lice  and  various 
larvae,  so  destructive  at  times  in  the  field  and  garden.  During*  the  sum- 
mer season,  fruits  of  the  blackberry,  raspberry,  wild  strawberry,  and 
wild  cherry  are  eaten  to  a  more  or  less  extent.  The  young,  while  under 
parental  care,  are  fed  exclusively  on  an  insect  diet. 

Dr.  Coues,  writing  of  this  species,  says :  "  From  its  general  disper- 
sion in  low  or  wet  thickets  or  fields,  swamps  and  marshes,  the  blackbird 
collects  in  August  and  September  in  immense  flocks,  thronging  the  ex- 
tensive tracts  of  wild  oats  and  other  aquatic  plants  in  marshes  and  along 
water-courses,  also  visiting  and  doing  much  damage  to  grain-fields. 
Thousands  are  destroyed  by  boys  and  pot-hunters,  but  the  hosts  scarcely 
diminish,  and  every  known  artifice  fails  to  protect  the  crops  from  inva- 
sion of  the  dusky  hordes.  At  other  seasons  the  '  maize-thief '  is  innocu- 
ous, if  not  positively  beneficial,  as  it  destroys  its  share  of  insects."- 
Key,  p.  JfOJf,.  In  the  rice-growing  states  the  Bed-winged  Blackbird 
ranks  next  to  the  Beed-bird  in  its  ravages  011  the  rice  fields.  Theo. 
S.  Wilkinson,  Myrtlegrove  plantation,  lower  coast,  Louisiana,  writes  as 
follows  in  the  annual  report  (1886),  issued  by  Ornithologist  Dr.  C.  Hart 
Merriam,  U.  S.  Dept.  of  Agr.,  Washington,  D.  C. :  "  The  rice  crop  in 
Louisiana,  from  the  time  the  rice  is  in  the  milk  till  harvest  time  and 
during  harvesting,  is  much  damaged  by  birds,  principally  the  Bed- 
shouldered  Blackbird.  Shooting  is  the  only  remedy  thus  far  resorted  to 
which  is  at  all  effective,  and  it  is  only  partially  so.  I  have  known  rice 
crops  to  be  destroyed  to  the  extent  of  over  50  per  cent.,  which  is  a  loss 
of  say  $13  per  acre.  While  this  is  an  extreme  case,  a  damage  and  ex- 
pense of  from  $5  to  $10  per  acre  is  very  common. 

"  The  average  yield  per  acre  is  about  30  bushels,  worth  now  (March  12, 
1886)  about  80  cents  per  bushel." 


GENUS  XANTHOCEPHALUS  BONAPARTE. 
Xanthocephalus  xanthocephalus  (BON.AP.). 

Yellow-headed  Blackbird. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Bill  conical  and  about  twice  as  long  as  high  ;  wings  longer  than  tail  ;  first  primary 
longest. 

Male.  —General  color  black,  including  lores,  and  some  feathers  about  eyes  and 
lower  bill  ;  rest  of  head,  the  neck  and  breast,  also  few  feathers  about  vent  yellow  ; 
showy  white  patch  on  wing.  The  female  is  smaller,  and  dark  brown  ;  top  of  head 
brown  ;  line  over  eye,  throat  and  breast  dull  yellow  ;  no  white  wing  patch.  Length, 
male  about  10£  ;  extent  about  16^  ;  bill  and  legs  (dried  skin)  blackish. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  213 


Habitat. — Western  North  America,  from  Wisconsin,  Illinois  and  Texas  to  the 
Pacific  coast.  Accidental  in  the  Atlantic  states  (Mass.,  S.  C.,  Penna.,  Fla.). 

I  have  never  met  with  the  Yellow-headed  Blackbird  in  Pennsylvania, 
where  it  occurs  only  as  an  accidental  visitor. 

"Dr.  Jackson  mentions  that  this  species  is  occasionally  seen  along"  the 
Allegheny  mountains,  where  a  dock  appeared  in  the  autumn  of  1857. 
Mr.  John  Krider  shot  a  young-  male  near  Philadelphia." — Turnbull. 

In  a  letter  dated  April  6,  1890,  Mr.  H.  C.  Kirkpatrick,  of  Meadville, 
Crawford  county,  writes  as  follows  concerning-  this  bird :  "  I  had  the 
good  fortune  to  get  a  fine  pair  of  Yellow-headed  Blackbirds  on  March 
25,  1890,  the  first  I  have  ever  observed  around  here." 


GENUS  STURNELLA  VIEILLOT. 

Sturnella  magna  (LiNN.). 

• 

Meadowlark. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  28~). 

Thick  and  stout  body  ;  legs  large  ;  toes  reach  beyond  the  tail ;  hind  toe  long,  its 
claw  twice  as  long  as  middle  one  ;  upper  mandible  (dried  specimens)  dark  brown  ; 
lower  bill  lighter  at  base,  dark  towards  the  point ;  tarsus  and  feet  light  brownish  ; 
claws  darker  ;  iris  brown.  Feathers  of  head  stiffish,  tipped  with  bristles.  Throat, 
sides  of  breast,  spot  from  nostrils  to  eye,  edge  of  wing  and  abdomen  bright  yellow  ; 
breast  with  a  large  black  crescent,  the  horns  of  which  go  half-way  up  side  of  neck  ; 
the  feathers  above  dark  brown  ;  exposed  portions  of  wings  and  tail  with  transverse 
dark-brown  bars,  which  on  the  middle  tail  feathers  are  confluent  along  the  shaft ; 
strong  shade  of  bluish-ash  on  lesser  wing-coverts  ;  several  lateral  tail  feathers  partly 
white  ;  sides,  under  tail-coverts  and  tibiae  pale  reddish-brown,  streaked  with  black- 
ish ;  a  light  stripe  extends  from  base  of  upper  mandible  over  crown  ;  and  similar  ones 
over  along  sides  of  top  of  head  ;  a  faint  black  streak  above  the  eye,  and  a  broad  one 
behind  it.  Sexes  alike  but  female  usually  duller  than  male.  Birds  in  the  autumn 
have  black  breast  spot  more  or  less  obscured  with  grayish  or  brownish.  Southern 
birds  are  smaller  than  northern.  Male,  length  about  10|  inches  ;  extent  about  16^ 
inches.  The  female  is  smaller. 

Habitat.—  Eastern  United  States  and  southern  Canada  to  the  plains. 

The  Meadowlark  occurs  in  Pennsylvania  during  all  months  of  the 
year,  but  in  the  spring,  summer,  and  particularly  in  the  autumn,  is  much 
more  common  than  throughout  the  dreary  months  of  winter.  These 
birds  are  gregarious,  at  least  they  generally,  when  not  engaged  in  breed- 
ing, are  to  be  found  in  small  flocks,  which  wander  about  from  place  to 
place,  and  only  discontinue  this  nomadic  life  when  they  engage  in  house- 
keeping. These  well  known  rovers,  rendered  so  conspicuous  by  their 
yellow  shirts  and  black  bosoms,  collect  usually  in  parties  of  from  twelve 
to  thirty  each ;  in  the  fall,  however,  it  is  not  uncommon  to  find  a  hun- 
dred, and  sometimes  more,  of  these  birds  scattered  about  a  field  or 
meadow.  Meadowlarks— generally  quite  shy  and  difficult  of  approach- 
frequent  at  all  seasons,  principally  grassy  fields  and  meadows,  but 
during  the  winter  when  deep  snows  cover  their  common  feeding  grounds, 


214  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


they  often  visit  the  barnyards,  and,  if  not  molested,  will  become  rather 
tame.  They  also,  at  these  periods  of  snow  inundation,  assemble  in  the 
public  highways  and  glean  a  scanty  subsistence  from  the  droppings  of 
horses.  Although  larks  frequently  alight  on  trees,  they  never,  I  think, 
are  seen  to  feed  in  such  places,  their  food  is  collected  from  the  ground. 
In  spring  the  flocks  break  up  and  these  birds  are  observed  singly  or  in 
pairs.  Nest  building,  in  this  latitude,  is  begun  late  in  April  or  early  in 
May.  Both  sexes  engage  in  constructing  their  nest,  composed  of  dried 
grasses,  placed  on  the  ground,  and  most  ingeniously  concealed  in  a  thick 
tuft  of  grass.  The  nests  are  built  in  meadows  and  grass  fields,  and  fre- 
quently, though  not  always,  rest  in  a  concavity  of  the  earth. 

The  oval  white  eggs,  usually  five  in  number,  are  spotted  with  reddish- 
brown  ;  they  vary  considerably  in  size,  but  average  about  1.16  inches 
long  by  .80  of  an  inch  wide.  Their  food  consists  of  various  forms  of  in- 
sects, among  which  may  be  mentioned  beetles,  grasshoppers,  larvae, 
earth-worms,  ants,  etc.  The  lark,  like  the  Eed-winged  Blackbird,  is 
fond  of  "  cut-worms,"  he  also  subsists  on  the  seeds  of  various  grasses, 
weeds,  etc.,  and,  according  to  Mr.  Gentry,  they  sometimes  feed  on  wild 
cherries,  wild  strawberries  and  blackberries.  Although  this  species  will 
sometimes  eat  the  grains  of  wheat,  oats,  rye  or  particles  of  corn  which 
they  find  scattered  on  the  ground  in  fields  or  other  places,  they  rarely 
disturb  these  cereals  when  growing,  and  never  commit,  in  grain  fields, 
any  depredations  at  or  about  the  season  of  harvest.  Seventeen  Meadow- 
larks,  which  I  captured  (March  and  April,  1885),  in  the  open  pine  woods 
of  Florida,  were  found  to  have  fed  only  on  insects,  chiefly  beetles.  In 
December,  1886, 1  killed  seven  of  these  birds  in  Chester  county,  Pa., 
their  stomachs  were  all  gorged  with  grasshoppers.  In  the  Carolinas, 
Audubon  says,  many  planters  agree  in  denouncing  the  lark  as  a  depre- 
dator, "  alleging  that  it  scratches  up  oat  seeds,  when  sown  early  in  spring, 
and  is  fond  of  plucking  up  the  young  corn,  wheat,  rye  or  rice." 


GENUS  ICTERUS  BKISSON. 
Icterus  spurius  (LiNN.). 

Orchard  Oriole. 

DESCBIPTION    (Plate  75). 

Bill  slender,  very  acute  and  somewhat  decurved  ;  bill  and  feet  bluish-black  ;  iris 
brown. 

Adult  male.— Head  and  neck  all  round,  upper  portion  of  breast  and  back,  scap- 
ulars, tail  and  wings  (except  middle  and  lesser  coverts,  which  are  chestnut)  deep 
black  with  slight  gloss,  particularly  about  head  and  throat ;  lateral  tail  feathers 
with  white  tips  Rest  of  under  parts,  lower  part  of  back,  upper  tail-coverts  dark 
chestnut  brown,  deepest  on  breast ;  greater  wing-coverts  black,  edged  with  white, 
forming  a  wing-bar :  secondaries  and  sometimes  primaries,  edged  with  whitish  or 
pale  chestnut. 

Adult  female. — Above  yellowish  olive,  darkest  on  back,  clearest  on  head,  tail  and 
rump  ;  below  light  olive-yellow  ;  wings  dusky,  with  two  bars  of  white. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  215 


Young  male.— In  late  summer  and  autumn,  similar  to  female,  though  somewhat 
larger.  I  have  neverseen  young.males  in  spring  without  some  black  feathers  on  throat 
or  loral  space,  or  some  chestnut-colored  feathers,  and  I  have  taken  young  males  when 
just  able  to  fly  with  a  few  black  feathers  on  chin  and  throat. 

Young  m<ile  in  spring.—  Similar  to  female,  but  with  face  and  throat  black.  From 
this  last  described  condiiion  males  are  found  in  all  stages  until  the  full  adult  plumage 
is  assumed.  The  chestnut  and  black  appears  in  streaks  and  patches.  A  young  male 
(nine  months  old)  now  before  me,  is  in  full  adult  plumage,  with  the  following  excep- 
tions :  Occiput  and  crown  with  a  few  dark  yellowish  feathers;  feathersof  lower  hind 
neck  and  inter-scapular  region  deep  black  but  edged  with  rusty  ;  a  few  yellow  feath- 
ers mixed  with  the  light  chestnut  of  abdomen  ;  sides  slightly  tinged  with  yehowish 
which  is  generally  on  tips  of  chestnut  feathers ;  edge  of  wing  yellow  and  chestnut ; 
middle  coverts  of  one  wing  margined  with  greenish-yellow,  on  the  other  wing  these 
feathers  same  as  in  adult ;  greater  coverts  (both  wings)  edged  with  pale  chestnut 
Length  about  7  inches  ;  extent  about  10  inches :  female  trifle  smaller. 

Habitat. — United  States,  west  to  the  plains,  south  in  winter  in  Panama. 

The  Orchard  Oriole,  as  its  vernacular  name  would  indicate,  is  a  com- 
mon inhabitant  of  orchards,  particulary  apple  orchards. 

Late  in  April  or  early  in  May,  usually  a  few  days  after  the  shrill  notes 
of  the  Baltimore  Oriole  have  been  heard,  the  subject  of  this  present 
sketch  arrives  from  his  winter  retreats  in  tropical  America.  This  species 
appears  to  arrive  singly  or  in  pairs,  the  males  come  at  least  two  or  three 
days  before  the  females.  The  Orchard  Oriole  is  of  a  rather  shy  disposi- 
tion, and  although  he  is  a  common  frequenter  of  the  fruit  and  shade  trees, 
both  in  town  and  country,  he  prefers  to  shelter  his  body  in  the  thick- 
est portion  of  the  leafy  branches,  from  which  his  peculiar — somewhat 
harsh  and  rattling  though  not  unmusical — notes  are  frequently  heard 
when  the  vivacious  little  minstrel  is  entirely  hidden  from  view.  Some- 
times, however,  he  will,  like  the  Indigo-bird  or  Brown  Thrush,  perch  on 
the  topmost  limbs  and  sing  with  the  greatest  energy.  As  soon  as  the 
young  are  hatched  his  rapid  and  confused  song  ceases.  The  firm  and 
somewhat  long  cup-shaped  nest,  constructed  of  fine  green  grass  stems 
most  beautifully  interwoven  and  lined  on  the  bottom  with  downy  sub- 
stances, is  usually  placed  among  the  upright  twigs  of  an  applej  pear  or 
maple  limb.  When  such  a  site  is  selected  the  nest  is  not  pensile ;  on 
two  occasions,  however,  I  have  found  nests  which  were  suspended  from 
small  bifurcated  branches.  The  nests,  before  the  eggs  are  hatched,  have 
an  odor  similar  to  that  of  new  hay.  The  eggs,  mostly  five,  are 
bluish-white,  indistinctly  dotted  with  bluish-gray,  and  conspicuously 
spotted  (sometimes  lined)  with  brown  and  black.  They  measure  about 
.86  by  .58.  In  the  late  summer,  preparatory  to  migrating  south,  these 
birds  collect  in  flocks  *  of  from  fifteen  to  thirty,  seldom  more,  and  are 
frequently  to  be  seen  flitting  through  the  bushes  and  trees  along  the 
roadside  or  about  the  borders  of  woods  and  clearings. 

The  food  of  this  species  consists  chiefly  of  insects.  They  destroy  great 
quantities  of  caterpillars,  as  well  as  other  destructive  larvae.  Immense 
numbers  of  noxious  beetles,  numerous  plant-lice,  many  spiders  and  flies 

'These  flocks,  I  think,  are  composed  entirely  of  young  of  the  first  year. 


216 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


are  captured  during  their  foraging  expeditions  in  the  orchard,  field  and 
garden.  "  Rose-slugs,"  "  cabbage-worms  "  and  grasshoppers  are  eagerly 
devoured  by  Orchard  Orioles.  They  subsist  to  a  small  extent  on  soft 
fruits  (strawberries,  mulberries  and  raspberries)  when  the  same  are  in 
season,  and  occasionally  feed  on  apple  and  pear  blossoms,  their  depre- 
dations, however,  in  these  directions  are  very  unimportant. 

The  food-materials  of  sixteen  Orchard  Orioles  examined  by  the  author 
are  given  in  the  following  table : 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

I 

May  11.  1880, 

Berwyn,  Pa  

Small  green  •  •  worms,  "  on  apple  tree. 

2 

May  15,  1880. 

Chester  county.  Pa. 

Small  •  •  worms"  and  beetles. 

3 

May  15,  1880. 

Chester  county,  Pa. 

Beetles. 

4 

May  17.  1880. 

Chester  county,  Pa. 

Vegetable  matter  (not  determined). 

5 

May  23.  1880, 

Chester  county,  Pa. 

Caterpillar,  beetles  and  tiies. 

6 

May    «,  1881, 

Chester  county,  Pa. 

Beetles  and  few  small  seeds. 

May     8,  1883. 

Chester  county,  Pa. 

Caterpillars  and  beetles. 

8 

May  13,  1883. 

Chester  county,  Pa. 

Small  green  worms  and  beetles,  on  apple  trees. 

9 

May  17,  1883. 

Chester  county.  Pa. 

Beetles  and  larvae. 

10 
11 

May  17.  1883. 
May  21.  1883. 

• 

Chester  county.  Pa. 
Chester  county,  Pa. 

Numerous  small  green-colored  beetles. 
Caterpi  liar,  beetles  and  some  little  vegetable  matter. 

12 

June  10.  1880. 

Newark,  Delaware, 

Beetles  and  flies. 

13 

June    1,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa. 

Caterpillar  and  vegetable  matter. 

14 

June    4.  1884. 

Chester  county.  Pa. 

Small  worms  and  beetles. 

lo 

June    7,  1884, 

Chester  county,  Pa. 

Caterpillars,  small  green  beetles  and  other  insects. 

16 

July  20,  1884, 

Chester  county,  Pa. 

Small  seeds  and  flies. 

Icterus  galbula  (LraN.). 

Baltimore  Oriole;  Hanging-bird. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  89). 

The  adults  and  young  vary  greatly  in  plumage.  The  adult  female  and  young  male 
frequently  can  only  be  distinguished  by  dissection.  Length  about 8  inches  ;  extent 
about  12|  inches  ;  female  smaller. 

Habitat.— Eastern  United  States  ;  west  nearly  to  the  Rocky  mountains. 

The  Baltimore  Oriole  is  quite  plentifully  distributed  throughout  Penn- 
sylvania as  a  summer  resident.  This  well-known  and  beautiful  species 
winters,  it  is  stated,  in  Cuba,  Mexico  and  Central  America,  and  in  the 
spring  migrates  northward,  arriving  in  this  latitude  from  April  25  to 
May  1.  The  males  come  mostly  a  few  days  in  advance  of  the  females, 
and  appear  usually  in  parties  of  five  or  eight,  sometimes,  though  rarely, 
flocks  of  fifteen  or  twenty  individuals  are  observed.  These  birds  at  first, 
and  particularly  if  several  should  be  together,  are  generally  found  fre- 
quenting forests;  especially  do  they  delight  in  gleaning  among  the 
branches  of  the  hickory,  maple  and  oak  trees.  The  Baltimore  Oriole, 
like  the  preceding  species,  is  a  common  frequenter  about  the  habitations 
of  man.  This  bird  is  known  by  a  variety  of  names,  most  of  which  have 
reference  to  his  showy  dress.  The  appellation  "  Baltimore,"  Dr.  Coues 
writes,  "  is  not  from  the  city  of  that  name,  but  from  the  title  of  Sir 
George  Calvert,  first  baron  of  Baltimore ;  the  colors  of  the  bird  being 
chosen  for  his  livery,  or  resembling  those  of  his  coat-of-arms." — Key  to 
N.  A.  Birds,  p.  408.  The  terms  Golden-robin,  Fire-bird  and  Bed-bird, 


PLATE  53- 


'   V  i     2 


fern, 

i.  Adult;  2.  Young.    Fall 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  217 


are  in  allusion  to  the  orange  coloration,  brightest  on  the  breast,  but 
varying  in  amount  as  well  as  brilliancy  with  age  and  season.  He  is  also 
called  Hang-nest  and  Hanging-bird,  from  the  i'act  that  he,  assisted  by 
his  mate,  constructs  a  most  elaborate  pensile  nest,  so  frequently  seen 
swinging  in  the  pendant  branches  of  the  drooping  willow,  the  spreading 
elm,  the  stately  poplar  or  the  tall  sycamore.  Nest  building,  in  this 
locality,  is  begun  late  in  May  or  early  in  June.  The  male  devotes  him- 
self, principally,  to  collecting  the  building  materials,  while  upon  the 
female,  Mr.  Gentry  states,  "  devolves  the  duty  of  weaving  the  ingre- 
dients together,  which  is  the  labor  of  a  week  of  almost  steady  applica- 
tion." The  nest,  composed  of  various  materials,*  such  as  strings,  pieces 
of  lint,  rags,  plant-fibers,  hair,  etc.,  which  are  capable  of  being  woven 
together,  is  always  suspended  from  the  pendulous  branches  of  a  tree 
either  in  an  orchard,  lawn  or  woods.  The  bottom  of  this  swaying,  cylin- 
dric  and  pouch-like  abode  is  lined  with  different  downy  substances.  The 
nests  are  generally  so  placed  that  they  are  sheltered  by  a  bunch  of 
leaves  hanging  from  above,  sometimes,  however,  when  insufficient  protec- 
tion is  thus  furnished  by  nature,  these  weaver-birds,  to  shield  their  hid- 
den treasures  from  sun  and  rain,  will  construct  a  canopy  of  strings,  etc., 
above  the  top  of  their  house.  The  eggs,  commonly  five  in  number,  are 
a  little  larger  than  those  of  the  Orchard  Oriole.  They  are  whitish, 
dotted,  blotched,  spotted  and  sinuously  lined  with  black  and  brown. 
The  Baltimore  Oriole  feeds  chiefly  on  various  forms  of  insect-life.  The 
destructive  apple-tree  caterpillars,  as  well  as  other  caterpillars,  are  de- 
stroyed in  great  quantities  by  these  birds,  who  not  only  subsist  to  a 
considerable  extent  on  these  and  other  larvae,  but  likewise,  Nuttall  states, 
feed  their  young  principally  on  soft  caterpillars.  The  orioles  also  cap- 
ture large  numbers  of  beetles,  flies,  spiders,  etc.,  in  the  fruit  and  forest 
trees.  They  occasionally  feed  on  the  blossoms  of  the  apple,  pear, 
rnaple  and  other  trees.  A  juicy  cherry  is  relished,  and  different  kinds 
of  small  berries  are  fed  upon  to  a  more  or  less  extent.  Mr.  Gentry  in 
relation  to  this  species  says:  "This  oriole  deserves  our  favor  and 
esteem  for  the  numerous  insects  of  an  injurious  character  which  it  de- 
stroys, which  thus  compensate  for  the  trifling  injuries  which  it  commits 
in  the  destruction  of  the  succulent  pea  and  the  blossoms  of  the  cherry 
and  apple  which  it  rifles  of  their  stamens  and  ovaries." 

To  Prof.  A.  Wanner,  of  York,  Pa.,  I  am  indebted  for  the  following  in- 
teresting note  concerning  this  species:  "Several  years  ago  I  observed 
some  Baltimore  Orioles  in  my  yard  opening  the  rough  (on  the  exterior) 
almond-shaped  cocoons  that  hung  from  the  limbs  of  fruit  trees.  The 
birds  systematically  hunted  limb  after  limb  in  quest  of  the  cocoons, 

*  The  following  interesting  extract  is  taken  from  a  letter  sent  to  the  author  by  Dr.  John  W.  Detwiller 
of  Northampton  county  :  "The  late  Dr.  H.  Detwiller,  of  Easton,  Penna. ,  had  a  female  Baltimore  Oriole 
in  confinement  for  several  years.  It  became  so  tame  that  it  had  the  liberty  to  fly  about  the  house  as  it 
pleased;  it  built  a  nest  from  the  Doctor's  gray  hair  which  it  would  pull  from  his  head.  This  remarkable 
piece  of  bird  architecture  is  now  In  the  possession  of  Mr.  Mlnnot,  of  Germantown,  Pennsylvania. " 


218 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


and  as  soon  as  they  were  found  the  orioles  opened  them  and  took  out 
the  larvae  at  the  rate  of  two  in  a  minute.  I  watched  the  birds  and  timed 
them." 

The  food  materials  of  twenty-six  of  these    birds  examined  by  the 
author  and  Mr.  Benj.  M.  Everhart  are  given  below: 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1 

May    4.1880, 

Chester  county,  Pa. 

Beetles  and  blossoms. 

2 

May  10.  1880, 

Chester  county.  Pa. 

Beetles  and  diptera. 

3 

May    6.1380. 

Chester  county.  Pa. 

Vegetable  matter,  apparently  blossoms. 

4 

May    6,1330. 

Chester  county,  Pa. 

Beetles  and  vegetable  matter. 

5 

May  10.1380. 

Chester  county.  Pa. 

Beetles  and  vegetable  matter. 

6 

May  11,1830. 

Chester  county,  Pa. 

Caterpillars,  fragments  of  beetles,  small  green  worms  and  leaves. 

7 

June  6,1880, 

New  Castle  co.  .  Del. 

Beetles. 

8 

June  11,  1880, 

New  Castle  co.,  Del. 

Beetles  and  vegetable  matter  (blossoms). 

9 

May  19',  1882, 

Chester  county,  Pa. 

Larvae,  diptera  and  beetles.* 

10 

May  19.1882, 

Chester  county.  Pa. 

Larvae,  diptera  and  beetles.* 

11 

May  19.1882. 

Chester  county,  Pa. 

Beetles  and  Hies.* 

12 

May  19,  1882, 

Chester  county,  Pa. 

Beetles  and  flies.* 

13 

May    7.1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa. 

Larvae  and  beetles  (on  apple  tree) 

14 

May    7,1883, 

Chester  county.  Pa. 

Beetles  and  diptera.* 

15 

May    7,1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa. 

Beetles  and  diptera.* 

16 

May    7.1883, 

Chester  county.  Pa. 

Black  beetles.* 

17 

May  13,1883, 

Chester  county.  Pa. 

Small  black  beetles  (on  apple  tree). 

18 
19 

May  13,  1883, 
May  14.1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa. 
Chester  county.  Pa. 

Small  black  beetles  (on  apple  tree  ). 
Larvae,  beetles  and  traces  of  vegetable  matter.  * 

20 

May  14,1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa. 

Larvae.* 

21 

May  14,  1883, 

Chester  county.  Pa. 

Beetles.* 

22 

May  14,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa. 

Larvae  and  beetles.* 

23 

May  21,1883. 

Chester  county.  Pa. 

Larvae. 

24 

May  21  1883, 

Chester  county.  Pa. 

Larvae. 

25 

May  25,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa. 

Beetles  and  larvae. 

26 

June  1,1883. 

Chester  county,  Pa. 

Beetles  and  larvae. 

GENUS  SCOLECOPHAGUS  SWAINSON. 


Scolecophagus  carolinus  (MULL.). 


Busty  Blackbird. 


DESCRIPTION. 


Bill  shorter  than  head  and  rather  slender ;  legs  and  feet  dark ;  iris  pale-straw 
color  ;  light  line  over  eye. 

M a le.—  General  color  black  and  somewhat  glossy ;  feathers  of  upper  part  very 
rusty ;  lower  parts  rusty  but  lighter. 

Female.— Brownish-slate  color,  more  or  less  rusty.  Length  about  9|  inches  ;  ex- 
tent about  15  inches  ;  female  little  smaller. 

Habitat.—  Eastern  North  America,  west  to  Alaska  and  the  plains.  Breeds  from 
northern  New  England  northward. 

The  Kusty  Grackle,  the  only  blackbird  occurring  regularly  in  Penn- 
sylvania which  does  not  breed  here,  can  readily  be  recognized  from 
other  species  by  its  ferruginous  plumage  and  yellow  or  light-colored 
eyes.  The  Busty  Blackbirds  winter  in  the  southern  states,  passing 
southward  as  far  as  Florida,  where  I  have  observed  them  in  February 
and  March.  When  journeying  to  their  breeding  grounds,  from  the 
northern  New  England  states  to  Labrador,  etc.,  this  species,  according 
to  my  observation,  migrates  singly  or  in  pairs,  but  never  in  flocks. 
These  birds  arrive  in  Pennsylvania,  occasionally,  as  early  as  March  1, 


Feeding  In  hickory  trees. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  219 

and  some  seasons  they  are  not  observed  before  April  1 ;  they  usually, 
however,  come  about  the  middle  of  March,  and  frequent  chiefly,  during 
their  brief  sojourn,  bushy  and  marshy  situations  generally.  After 
having  reared  their  young  they  again  make  their  appearance  in  this 
state  about  the  middle  of  October  (sometimes  as  early  as  the  first  of 
October),  and  often  are  seen  as  late  as  the  20th  of  November.  In  the 
autumn  the  Kusty  Blackbirds  are  observed  in  flocks  of  from  eight 
to  a  dozen  or  fifteen,  seldom  more.  At  this  time  they  inhabit  the 
same  localities  that  were  resorted  to  in  spring,  and  visit  also  corn 
and  other  grain  fields ;  like  the  Cowbirds,  that  depart  usually  by  the 
time  their  rusty-coated  relatives  arrive,  they  often  frequent  pasture 
grounds  among  the  cattle.  I  have  never  seen  these  birds  alight  on  the 
backs  of  cattle  as  Crows  and  Cowbirds  sometimes  are  in  the  habit  of 
doing.  The  only  note  I  have  ever  heard  this  bird  utter  is  a  short  and 
rather  low  chuck.  The  food  of  this  species  consists  largely  of  beetles, 
grasshoppers,  snails  and  earth-worms.  They  feed  to  considerable  ex- 
tent on  the  seeds  of  various  plants ;  different  kinds  of  small  berries  are 
added  to  their  menu  ;  the  scattered  grains  of  wheat,  rye  or  other  cereals, 
which  are  to  be  found  in  the  fields  and  meadows,  are  likewise  eaten. 
When  in  cornfields  they  sometimes  perch  on  the  shocks  and  pick  from 
the  ears  a  few  grains,  the  damage,  however,  which  they  do  in  this  way 
is  of  but  little  importance. 


GENUS  QUISCALUS  VIEILLOT. 
Quiscalus  quiscula  (LiNN.). 

Purple  Grackle ;  Common  Crow  Blackbird. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  61.    Fig.  1.} 

Bill  stout,  about  as  long  as  head  ;  bill  and  feet  black  ;  iris  yellow.  In  life  may  be 
recognized  by  the  V-shaped  tail,  so  conspicuous  when  flying.  Head  and  neck  all 
well  denned  steel-blue,  the  rest  of  the  body  with  varied  reflections  of  bronze,  golden, 
green,  copper  and  purple,  the  latter  most  conspicuous,  especially  on  tail,  the  tail- 
coverts  and  wings. 

Female.—  Similar,  but  smaller  and  duller,  with  more  green  on  the  head. 

Young.— Very  similar  to  female.    The  eyes  of  young  birds  are  brown. 

Male.—  Measures  about  13  inches  long  and  18  inches  in  extent 

Habitat.— Atlantic  states,  from  Florida  to  Long  Island. 

It  can  safely  be  said  that  of  the  numerous  representatives  of  the  Avian 
tribes  abounding  throughout  this  great  commonwealth,  no  species  is 
more  abundant  or  familiarly  known  than  is  the  subject  of  this  article. 
Early  in  the  month  of  March  this  species  arrives  in  Pennsylvania  in 
large-sized  flocks  from  their  wintering  resorts,  viz :  Virginia,  the  Caro- 
linas,  Georgia  and  other  of  the  southern  states. 

During  mild  winters,  however,  I  have  frequently  observed  them,  in 
limited  numbers,  in  this  section  (Chester  county),  also  in  the  county  of 


220  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


New  Castle,  Delaware ;  correctly  speaking,  however,  we  cannot  properly 
regard  these  birds  as  winter  residents  of  the  Keystone  State. 

For  a  period  of  about  one  month  following  their  vernal  arrival  they 
roam  over  the  country,  frequenting  chiefly  meadows,  low  lands  and 
plowed  fields.  On  the  approach  of  night  they  collect  in  large  numbers 
in  some  favorite  roosting  place,  such  as  cedar  or  pine  trees,  thick  woods, 
or  dense  thickets. 

Nest-building  is  usually  begun  about  the  middle  of  April,  although 
on  two  or  three  occasions  I  have  found  nests,  with  full  complements  of 
eggs,  as  early  as  the  first  week  in  April. 

In  colonies  of  from  ten  to  twenty,  seldom  more,  they  locate  them- 
selves for  the  purpose  of  nidification  and  reproduction.  In  this  locality 
(Chester  county)  their  favorite  breeding  resorts  are  apple  orchards,  the 
fruit  and  other  trees  commonly  about  the  habitations  of  man.  The  nest 
is  bulky  and  rudely  constructed  externally  of  rootlets,  small  twigs,  dry 
plants,  bits  of  corn-blades,  etc.,  somewhat  loosely  but  quite  firmly 
bound  together.  Mud  or  mudded  materials  frequently  enter  into  the 
construction  of  the  nest,  but  this  is  not  always  the  case ;  the  interior  is 
lined  usually  with  fine  grasses ;  occasionally  I  have  seen  leaves  and  feath- 
ers constituting  the  internal  lamina.  The  construction  of  the  nest 
occupies  about  one  week;  both  sexes  engage  in  its  erection.  It  is 
built  at  the  junction  of  two  or  more  large-sized  limbs  or  among  the 
sprouts  and  matted  twigs.  The  nests  vary  somewhat  in  size,  but  the 
one  now  before  me — about  the  average — gives  the  following  dimensions : 
Height,  6J  inches;  diameter,  7|  inches;  depth  of  cavity,  3  inches. 
Gentry  observes  that  the  female  begins  to  deposit  her  eggs,  one  ovum 
per  day,  the  day  following  the  completion  of  the  nest.  Such  may  be 
the  case,  but  my  observation  has  been  that  oviposition  does  not  often 
take  place  until  three  or  even  five  days  subsequent  to  the  completion  of 
the  nest.  The  complement  of  eggs  is  commonly  spoken  of  as  six ;  gen- 
erally, however,  I  have  found  five,  and  regard  this  number  as  the  full  quota. 
The  eggs  are  light  greenish  (sometimes  pale  rusty-brown),  spotted, 
blotched  and  lined  with  black  and  dark-brown ;  they  measure  about  li 
inches  long  and  .90  of  an  inch  wide.  The  period  of  incubation  is  from 
fourteen  to  fifteen  days.  The  parent  birds  evince  marked  solicitude  for 
their  nest  and  its  contents. 

It  is  evident  from  the  writings  of  various  authorities  that  the  nesting 
sites  of  this  species  vary  considerably.  By  Nuttall  and  others  we  are 
informed  that  they  sometimes  build  in  bushes.  From  the  works  of 
Audubon  it  is  learned  that  in  the  south  they  build  chiefly  in  hollow 
trees.  I  have  found  these  birds  building  in  common  house  ivy  (Hedera 
helix)  but  never  in  bushes,  and  only  on  two  occasions  have  I  discovered 
their  nests  in  hollow  trees ;  both  of  these  nests  were  built  in  apple  trees. 
One  was  constructed  in  a  limb  about  seven  feet  from  the  ground,  the 


Flate  54. 


1.  Cliff  Swallow.       2.  B&rn  Swallows. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  221 


other  was  placed  about  twenty  feet  from  the  earth,  neither  of  these 
differed  materially  in  their  make-up  from  the  average  nest. 

FOOD. 

To  our  agriculturist  this  is  a  subject  worthy  of  some  consideration. 
It  appears  to  be  the  prevailing  opinion  among  many  farmers — the  ma- 
jority in  fact — that  Crow  Blackbirds  are  in  many  ways  detrimental,  and 
in  no  particular  are  they  beneficial.  This  belief,  evidently  handed  down 
from  one  generation  to  another,  is  taken  in  its  full  meaning,  widely 
at  variance  with  positive  fact.  Among  the  first  of  our  vernal  migrants 
come  the  Crow  Blackbirds  in  large  flocks  which  disperse  themselves 
over  the  country,  frequenting,  principally,  as  previously  stated,  meadow 
lands  and  humid  grounds  in  quest  chiefly  of  an  insect  diet,  that  is  only 
occasionally  diversified  by  a  grain  of  corn,  wheat  or  oats,  and  such  seeds 
as  may  be  found  in  seeking  the  hidden  insect. 

In  the  wake  of  the  plowman,  as  he  turns  the  crumbling  earth,  closely 
follow  the  argus-eyed  Grackles,  ever  on  the  alert  to  seize  the  wriggling 
worm,  the  agile  beetle,  or  the  glistening  grub,  and  the  numerous  larvcv 
thrown  out  as  each  furrow  is  turned.  Certainly,  at  this  season  our  sable 
acquaintances  are  engaged  only  in  that  which  will  prove  of  utility  to  the 
cultivator  when  his  crops  are  growing.  We  repeatedly  hear  of  how  the 
blackbirds  tear  up  and  devour  the  young  and  growing  corn.  This,  un- 
questionably, is  sometimes  the  case,  but  I  am  confident  that  the  destruc- 
tion thus  done  is  much  exaggerated.  I  am  aware  that  on  more  than  one 
occasion  I  have  seen  the  tender  blades  of  corn  lying  on  the  ground 
where  were  actively  at  work  Crow  Blackbirds,  a  number  of  which  were 
shot,  and  on  post-mortem  dissection  their  stomachs  revealed  almost  en- 
tirely insects.  Some  six  years  ago  I  was  visiting  a  friend  who  had  thirty 
odd  acres  of  corn  (maize)  planted.  Quite  a  number  of  "  blackies,"  as  he 
styled  them,  were  plying  themselves  with  great  activity  about  the  grow- 
ing cereal.  We  shot  thirty -one  of  these  birds  feeding  in  the  cornfield. 
Of  this  number  nineteen  showed  only  cut-worms  in  their  stomachs.  The 
number  of  cut-worms  in  each,  of  course,  varied,  but  as  many  as  twenty- 
two  were  taken  from  one  stomach.  In  seven  some  corn  was  found,  in 
connection  with  a  very  large  excess  of  insects,  to  wit :  Beetles,  earth- 
worms and  cut-worms.  The  remaining  five  showed  chiefly  beetles. 

Comment  is  frequently  made  with  regard  to  the  Purple  Grackles  pil- 
laging the  cherry  trees.  To  some  extent  this  is  true,  but  certainly  the 
amount  of  fruit  taken  is  small,  far  less  than  that  injured  by  the  well- 
known  Cedar  or  Cherry  Bird  (Ampelis  cedrorum). 

Strawberries,  blackberries  and  other  fruits  are  fed  upon,  but  to  a  very 
limited  extent,  by  this  species.  The  diet  of  the  young  birds,  while  under 
parental  care,  is  almost  exclusively  insectivorous,  consisting  mainly  of 
caterpillars  and  grubs. 

It  is  a  well-established  fact  that  they  are  given  to  pillaging  the  eggs 


222  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


of  other  birds,  especially  the  common  Robin.  Gentry,  however,  states  that 
they  destroy  the  young-  of  birds,  a  fact,  as  yet,  unobserved  by  the  writer. 

In  referring1  to  this  species,  Wilson  very  aptly  remarks :  "  As  some 
consolation  to  the  industrious  cultivator,  I  can  assure  him  that  were  I 
placed  in  his  situation,  I  should  hesitate  whether  to  consider  these  birds 
most  as  friends  or  enemies,  as  they  are  particularly  destructive  to  almost 
all  the  noxious  worms,  grubs  and  caterpillars  that  infest  his  fields,  which, 
were  they  allowed  to  multiply  unmolested,  would  soon  consume  nine- 
tenths  of  all  the  productions  of  his  labor  and  desolate  the  country  with 
the  miseries  of  famine." 

In  concluding',  attention  is  called  to  several  series  of  stomach  exami- 
nations, made  at  different  periods  during  the  past  seven  years,  and  from 
such  work  the  reader  can  draw  his  own  conclusions. 

March — Twenty-nine  examined.  They  showed  chiefly  insects  and 
seeds ;  in  five  corn  was  present,  and  in  four  wheat  and  oats  were  found. 
All  of  these  grains,  however,  were  in  connection  with  an  excess  of  insect 
food. 

April — Thirty-three  examined.  They  revealed  chiefly  insects,  with  but 
a  small  amount  of  vegetable  matter. 

May — Eighty-two  examined.  Almost  entirely  insects,  cut-worms  be- 
ing especially  frequent. 

June — Forty-three  examined.  Showed  generally  insects,  cut  worms 
in  abundance  ;  fruits  and  berries  present,  but  to  very  small  extent. 

July — Twenty-four  examined.  Showed  mainly  insects  ;  berries  pres- 
ent in  limited  amount. 

August — Twenty-three  examined.  Showed  chiefly  insects,  berries  and 
corn. 

September — Eighteen  examined.  Showed  insects,  berries,  corn  and 
seeds. 

October — During  this  month  (1882),  the  writer  made  repeated  visits 
to  roosting  resorts,  where  these  birds  were  collected  in  great  numbers, 
and  shot  three  hundred  and  seventy-eight,  which  were  examined.  Of 
this  number  the  following  is  the  result  of  examinations,  in  detail,  of  one 
hundred  and  eleven  stomachs: 

Thirty,  corn  and  coleoptera  (beetles);  twenty-seven,  corn  only  ;  fifteen, 
orthoptera  (grasshoppers) ;  eleven,  corn  and  seeds ;  eleven,  corn  and  orthop- 
tera ;  seven,  coleoptera;  three,  coleoptera  and  orthoptera;  three,  wheat 
and  coleoptera  ;  two,  wheat  and  corn ;  one,  wheat ;  one,  diptera  (flies). 

The  remaining  two  hundred  and  sixty-seven  birds  were  taken  from  the 
10th  to  the  31st  of  the  month,  and  their  food  was  found  to  consist  almost 
entirely  of  corn. 

These  examinations  show  that  late  in  the  fall,  when  insect  food  is 
scarce,  corn  is  especially  preyed  upon  by  these  birds,  but  during  the 
previous  periods  of  their  residence  with  us,  insects  form  a  large  portion 
of  their  diet. 

In  the  West  Chester  (Pa.)  Daily  News,  June  15, 1880,  the  following  men- 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  223 

tion  of  the  Crow  Blackbird  was  made  on  the  authority  of  the  late  David 
Euen,  Esq,  of  Phoenixville,  Pa. :  "  A  day  or  two  since,  while  Edward 
Entwisle,  and  another  resident  (David  Euen),  of  Phoenixville,  were  walk- 
ing along-  French  creek  in  that  town,  they  saw  a  common  Crow  Black- 
bird fly  to  the  water's  edge  and  take  therefrom  a  minnow  which  it 
swallowed."  The  fish-eating  habit  of  the  Crow  Blackbird,  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, is  of  rare  occurrence,  and  beyond  the  record  above  given  by  Mr. 
Euen  there  are  no  records,  known  to  me,  showing  a  piscivorous  desire 
on  the  part  of  the  species  in  this  commonwealth.  At  various  times  in 
the  past  eight  years,  I  have  examined  the  stomach  contents  of  some 
seven  hundred  Crow  Blackbirds,  captured  in  Pennsylvania  and  Delaware, 
yet  in  this  large  number  nothing  was  found  to  lead  one  to  suspect  a  fish- 
eating  habit.  In  Florida,  the  Grackle,  according  to  my  investigations, 
takes  most  kindly  to  a  fish  diet.  Since  the  latter  part  of  February,  1885, 
I  have  dissected  the  alimentary  tracts  of  forty -four  of  this  species,  seven- 
teen of  which  were  secured  in  Florida,  along  the  St.  John's  river.  These 
seventeen  examples,  obtained  at  various  periods  from  March  1  to  May 
7,  1885,  showed  generally  an  insect-food  preference — beetles,  principally. 
Six  of  the  number,  however,  revealed  unmistakable  evidences  of  having 
taken  as  nourishment  fishes,  as  will  be  seen  by  this  table : 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1 

2 
3 
4 
5 

6 

March   3.  1885.    .  .   . 
April    21.  1885,    .  .   . 
April    10.  1885,    .  .    . 
March  14,  1885.    .  .   . 
April    29,  1885,    .  .   . 
May     —  ,  1885,    .  .   . 

Volusia  county,  Fla.,    . 
Orange  county.  Fla  
Orange  county,  Kla  
Volusia  county,  Fla  
Volusia  county,  Fla  
Volusia  county,  Fla  

Five  small  fishes,  beetles  and  grub. 
Three  fishes,  beetles  and  mulberries. 
Remains  of  fishes,  beetles,  small  seeds,  etc. 
Remains  of  fishes,  beetle,  oats  and  corn. 
Cray-fish,  minnow  and  different  insects. 
Remains  of  fishes  and  green-colored  beetle. 

Of  the  forty  birds  above  mentioned,  twenty-seven  w.ere  taken  in  Ches- 
ter county,  Pa.,  during  May,  June  and  July,  feeding  chiefly  along  the 
fertile  banks  of  the  Brandywine  creek.  In  this  series,  however,  not  a 
single  individual  was  found  to  possess  a  trace  which  would  show  in  the 
northern  birds  a  fish-food  want.  A  Florida  fisherman,  during  the  early 
part  of  April,  1885,  caught  a  number  of  "  perch  "  which  spoiled  before  a 
market  could  be  found  for  them.  The  decaying  carcasses  were  tossed 
into  the  river,  to  float  away  or  to  be  "  gobbled  up "  by  the  voracious 
"catties."  Several  of  these  defunct  fishes  lodged  among  the  shell  rocks 
lining  the  banks.  Probably  an  hour  after  the  cast-aways  had  lain  'along 
the  riverside,  three  Crow  Blackbirds  were  seen— quoting  the  phraseology 
of  a  "cracker"  who  was  present  at  the  time — "to  jine  de  fish  and  feast 
'emselves  to  plum  fulness."  After  the  departure  of  the  sable  visitants, 
an  inspection  of  the  feeding-place  revealed  that  the  birds  had  picked  out 
the  eyes  of  seven,  or  all  but  one,  of  the  fishes,  three  of  which  were  con- 
siderably torn  about  the  abdominal  regions.  The  mutilated  condition 
of  the  belly  muscles  is  mainly  attributed  to  the  fact  that  the  fish  had 
been  eviscerated  before  having  been  thrown  away,  hence  these  incised 
parts  were  more  accessible  to  mandibular  action  than  other  and  unbroken 


224  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

parts  of  the  scaly  anatomy.  Certainly,  there  is  no  obvious  reason  why 
the  abdominal  and  neighboring  pectoral  portions  of  a  "  perch  "  should 
be  more  palatable  to  the  sprightly  "  White-eyed  Jackdaw,"  as  the  native 
Floridians  are  accustomed  to  term  the  species. 

The  Bronzed  Grackle  (Q.  quisculaceneus,  Ridgw.)is  the  common  Crow 
Blackbird  found  in  the  western  part  of  Pennsylvania  west  of  the  Alle- 
gheny mountains.  In  eastern  Pennsylvania  this  bird  is  rather  rare.  This 
variety  differs  from  the  typical  quiscula  chiefly  in  having  a  uniform 
brassy-colored  body,  and  wings  and  tail  purplish  or  violet,  never  bluish. 

FAMILY  FRINGILLID^E.     FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

THE  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

Over  thirty  species  of  this,  the  largest  North  American  family,  are  found  in  Penn- 
sylvania, either  as  residents,  summer  residents,  regular  spring  and  fall  migrants,  or 
casual  visitors.  Some  species,  especially  the  male  Grosbeaks,  also  the  male  Purple 
Finch,  Dickcissel,  Indigo-bird,  Towhee,  Crossbills,  Junco,  Red-poll  and  Goldfinch 
are  highly  colored,  being  conspicuously  marked  with  either  one  or  more  of  these  col- 
ors, red,  yellow,  black  and  blue  ;  others,  in  fact  the  majority,  are  plainly  attired  ;  the 
Snowflake,  when  found  in  this  state,  is  showily  dressed  in  a  garb  of  white  and  brown. 
The  eyes,  in  all  species  other  than  the  Towhee,  which  are  red  or  yellowish,  are  brown 
or  hazel.  During  the  breeding  season  these  birds  are  commonly  seen  singly  or  in 
pairs ;  but,  at  other  times,  many  of  them,  particularly  the  English  Sparrow,  Snowflake, 
Red-poll,  etc.,  are  to  be  observed  in  large  flocks,  and  small  flocks  or  companies  of  all 
but  a  few  species,  which  occur  here,  are  frequently  seen  in  fields,  woods,  thickets  or 
in  tangled  weeds,  grasses  and  briery  places  about  streams  and  bushy  swamps.  Species 
are  also  common  and  familiar  visitors  to  our  orchards,  yards  and  gardens.  They 
subsist  mainly  on  a  vegetable  diet,  consisting  largely  of  divers  seeds  ;  but  many  of 
them,  especially  the  English  Sparrow,  the  Rose- breasted,  Pine  and  Evening  Gros- 
beaks, likewise  the  Purple  Finch,  the  White-throated  Sparrow  and  the  two  species 
of  Crossbills,  feed  extensively  on  buds  and  other  soft  vegetable  substances.  The 
young  of  most,  in  fact  nearly  all,  of  these  birds  are  fed  largely  on  an  insect  diet,  and 
during  the  breeding  season  many  of  the  adult  Fringillidcc  also  subsist  to  a  consid- 
erable extent  on  different  kinds  of  insect-life,  particularly  small  larvae,  flies,  spiders 
and  the  smaller  beetles.  Their  nests  are  built  usually  in  bushes  or  trees,  but  some 
build  on  the  ground.  Nearly  all  of  these  birds  sing,  "with  varying  ability  and 
effect ;  some  of  them  are  among  our  most  delightful  vocalists" — (Coites).  "Prima- 
ries 9 ;  bill  very  short,  abruptly  conical  and  robust.  Commissure  strongly  angu- 
lated  at  base  of  bill.  Nostrils  placed  very  high  ;  rictal  bristles  usually  obvious : 
wings  usually  rather  long  and  pointed.  Tarsi  scutellate  in  front,  but  the  sides  with 
two  undivided  plates  meeting  behind  and  producing  a  rather  sharp  posterior  ridge. 
Tail  of  twelve  feathers,  but  variable  in  form." 

GENUS  COCCOTHRAUSTES  BRISSON. 
Coccothraustes  vespertina  (Coop.). 

Evening  Grosbeak. 

DESCRIPTION  (.Plate  92). 

Bill  very  large  and  stout,  over  £  of  an  inch  long  and  a  little  less  in  width  at  base  ; 
color  greenish-yellow. 

Male.— Forehead,  line  over  eye,  lower  part  of  back  and  rump,  under  tail-coverts 
and  lower  part  of  belly  yellow  ;  crown,  tibiae,  tail  and  its  upper  coverts  and  wings 


BIR DS  OF  PENNSYL  VANIA .  225 


black  ;  secondaries  mostly  white.  Rest  of  head,  neck  all  around  and  anterior  parts 
of  body,  dusky  olivaceous,  becoming  paler  behind.  Female  and  young  much 
duller  with  less  yellow,  and  more  brownish-ash  ;  lower  parts  very  pale,  almost  white 
on  belly.  Length  about  8|  ;  wing  about  4^ ;  tail  3. 

Habitat.— Western  North  America,  east  to  Lake  Superior,  and  casually  to  Ohio, 
Pennsylvania,  New  York  and  Ontario ;  from  the  Fur  countries  south  into  Mexico. 

The  Evening-  Grosbeak  first  made  its  appearance  in  Pennsylvania  in 
December  last,  and  during  the  months  of  January,  February,  March 
and  April  (1890)  scattered  individuals  or  flocks  containing  from  six  to 
twenty  or  more  were  frequently  seen.  From  my  own  personal  obser- 
vations, as  well  as  from  reports  received  through  the  courtesy  of  other 
observers,  it  appears  these  birds  were  quite  common  in  many  of  the 
western,  northern  and  central  parts  of  the  state,  but  rare,  or  not  seen  at 
least,  in  some  of  the  eastern  counties  from  the  date  of  their  first  appear- 
ance to  the  present  time  (May  15,  1890).  Referring  to  my  note-book  I 
find  single  birds,  but  mostly  small  parties,  were  observed  at  different 
periods  from  December  17  to  April  12,  inclusive,  in  the  following  coun- 
ties :  Erie,  Crawford,  Warren,  Elk,  Cameron,  Susquehanna,  Wyoming, 
Clinton,  Lycoming,  Venango,  Beaver,  Westmoreland,  Somerset,  Colum- 
bia, Washington  and  Lackawanna.  Mr.  Geo.  P.  Friant,  of  Scranton, 
obtained  from  a  hunter  in  Wyoming  county,  in  the  latter  part  of  April 
last,  a  number  of  these  grosbeaks,  which  were  at  that  time  said  to  be 
abundant  at  West  Nicholson.  The  stomach  contents  of  a  dozen  or  more 
specimens  which  I  examined  consisted  chiefly  of  seeds  and  green-colored 
vegetable  substances,  apparently  buds.  From  the  Forest  and  Stream  of 
May  8,  1890,  the  following  article,  written  May  1,  by  Mr  F.  F.  Castle- 
bury,  Montoursville,  Lycoming  county,  is  taken :  "  Early  in  last  Jan- 
uary a  friend  described  to  me  a  flock  of  strange  birds  he  had  seen  the 
day  before.  From  the  imperfect  description  given  I  concluded  they 
were  Snow  Buntings,  and  so  paid  no  further  attention  to  the  matter.  A 
few  weeks  later  he  killed  three  of  them,  and  then  I  saw  at  once  they 
were  unlike  any  bird  I  had  ever  seen  here.  Upon  investigation  I  found 
them  to  be  Evening  Grosbeaks.  They  have  never  before  been  recorded 
as  appearing  east  of  Ohio,  and  but  seldom  east  of  Lake  Superior,  but  as 
is  well-known,  a  number  of  specimens  have  been  taken  in  this  state  and 
in  New  York  during  the  past  winter.  The  birds,  numbering  about  forty, 
have  kept  together  in  a  single  flock  all  through  their  stay.  Their  food 
seems  to  consist  entirely  of  wild  cherry  pits.  They  readily  crack  the 
stones  with  their  stout  bills,  and  a  flock  feeding  on  these  makes  a  noise 
resembling  a  miniature  Fourth  of  July  celebration.  The  male  has  a 
loud,  clear  and  beautiful  song,  while  both  birds  have  a  peculiar  piping 
whistle,  which  is  apparently  used  as  a  call  note,  and  is  kept  up  con- 
stantly. Two  or  three  weeks,  ago  the  birds  became  quite  uneasy,  keep- 
ing well  to  the  tops  of  the  trees  and  ranging  for  miles  up  and  down  the 
river ;  but  they  finally  returned  to  their  old  haunts,  and  now  seem  to 
15  BIRDS. 


226  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

have  lost  in  a  measure  their  tribal  organization,  and  to-day,  April  30, 
they  are  to  be  found  in  all  parts  of  the  grove,  making  love  to  each  other 
in  much  the  same  manner  as  Turtle  Doves,  seemingly  well  contented  with 
what  I  believe  will  prove  to  be  their  summer  home."* 

GENUS  PINICOLA  VIEILLOT. 
Pinicola  enucleator  canadensis  (CAB.). 

Pine  Grosbeak. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  93). 

Bill  and  legs  blackish. 

Male,  adult. — General  color  light  rose-pink ;  scapulars  and  feathers  of  back  have 
dusky  centers,  giving  a  spotted  appearance ;  belly  and  lower  tail-coverts  ashy  or 
whitish ;  wings  and  tail  dusky  and  edged  with  whitish ;  wings  have  two  wiiitish 
bars.  Female  grayish  with  bright  olive-yellow  head  and  rump,  and  breast  also,  in 
some  specimens,  with  a  tinge  of  same.  The  young  resemble  the  female.  Length 
about  8f  inches  ;  wing  4.60  ;  tail  4.10. 

"Habitat.—  Northern  North  America  in  general,  breeding  from  northern  New 
England,  Labrador,  etc.,  to  Alaska  (except  coast  south  of  the  peninsula)  and  south 
in  higher  Kocky  mountains  to  Utah  and  Colorado ;  in  winter  south  to  northern 
United  States."— Ridg way. 

Irregular  winter  visitor,  much  oftener  met  with  in  the  pine  and  hem- 
lock forests  of  the  northern  parts  of  the  state  than  elsewhere.  This 
species,  when  found  here,  is  usually  observed  in  small  flocks,  but  often- 
times individuals  are  seen  in  company  with  English  Sparrows,  Cross- 
bills, etc.  In  the  winter  of  1889-90  Pine  Grosbeaks  were  very  common 
in  Susquehanna,  "Wayne,  Wyoming  and  Lackawanna  counties,  from 
which  localities  the  writer  obtained,  through  the  kindness  of  Mr.  James 
C.  Smith,  of  Montrose,  and  Mr.  Geo.  P.  Friant,  of  Scranton,  over  forty 
specimens  in  various  stages  of  plumage,  fn  the  neighborhood  of 
Montrose,  Susquehanna  county,  where  these  birds  were  particularly 
numerous  last  winter  (1889-90)  they  were  called  by  boys  and  hunters 
"  Red  English  Sparrows."  The  stomach  contents  of  twenty  odd  of  these 
birds  examined  by  the  writer  consisted  principally  of  small  seeds  and 
buds.  The  buds  of  different  trees,  etc.,  are  eaten  by  these  Grosbeaks, 
but  those  of  the  hickory  and  maple  are  fed  upon  to  a  very  considerable 
extent. 

*  Mr.  F.  F.  Castlebury,  in  a  letter  dated  September  29.  1890,  informs  me  that  the  Evening  Grosbeaks 
remained  about  Montoursville  until  May  llth,  when  they  disappeared,  being  driven  away  by  a  gunner 
who  killed  and  wounded  several  of  them.  Mr.  Castlebury  also  adds  that  some  of  his  neighbors  claim 
that  these  Grosbeaks  were  seen  at  different  times  during  the  summer,  but  he  is  under  the  impression 
that  the  female  Rose-breasted  Grosbeaks  (Habia  ludoviciana).  which  were  quite  plentiful,  were  mis- 
taken for  the  Evening  Grosbeak.  Mr.  Ed.  Allen,  of  Montoursville,  to  whom  the  writer  is  under  obliga- 
tions for  several  very  fine  specimens  of  Evening  Grosbeaks,  presented  to  Mr.  F.  F.  Castlebury  one  of 
these  birds  which  had  been  crippled;  this  bird  soon  became  so  tame  that  it  would  take  food  from  the 
hand  of  its  owner. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  227 


GENUS  CARPODACUS  KAUP 
Carpodacus  purpureus  (GMEL.). 

Purple  Finch ;  Crimson  Finch. 

DESCRIPTION  {Plate SO;  Figs.  1  and  2). 

Adult  male. — Crimson ;  brightest  on  head ;  belly  and  lower  tail-coverts  whitish  ; 
wings  and  tail  dusky  ;  feathers  on  middle  of  back  have  dark  centers.  Female  and 
young  olivaceous-brown,  paler  below,  and  everywhere  streaked,  but  have  no  red ; 
immature  males  are  found  in  various  conditions  of  plumage. 

Habitat.— Eastern  North  America,  from  the  Atlantic  coast  to  the  plains.  Breeds 
from  the  Middle  States  north  ward. 

The  Crimson  Finch,  so  called  from  the  crimson-colored  dress  of  the 
adult  male,  is  about  as  large  as  the  common  English  Sparrow.  This 
species  breeds  occasionally  and  sparingly  in  Pennsylvania,  particularly 
in  the  northern*  parts  of  the  state — Erie,  Crawford  and  a  few  other 
counties.  I  have  found  these  birds  to  be  much  more  numerous  in  the 
spring  and  autumn  than  in  winter.  They  are  found  chiefly  in  forests, 
though  it  is  not  unusual  to  see  them  about  houses,  which  they  some- 
times visit  in  company  with  other  species  of  sparrows.  These  birds  are 
mostly  observed  in  flocks;  in  whiter,  however,  it  is  not  uncommon  to 
find  them  singly  or  in  pairs,  especially  in  the  southern  parts  of  the 
commonwealth.  In  the  spring  I  have  noticed  that  their  brown  and  cone- 
shaped  bills  are  usually  covered  with  particles  of  buds  or  other  succulent 
vegetable  substances,  on  which  they  mainly  subsist  at  this  season ;  the 
feathers  of  the  forehead  and  throat  are  also  more  or  less  discolored  by 
the  juices  of  their  plant  food.  The  food  of  the  Crimson  Finch  is  made 
up  chiefly  of  vegetable  materials,  particularly  the  buds  and  blossoms  of 
different  forest,  fruit  and  shade  trees.  Various  kinds  of  small  seeds, 
as  well  as  berries  and  some  few  insects  are  also  eaten.  I  have  examined 
the  stomach  contents  of  twenty -one  Purple  Finches  captured  in  Chester 
county,  Pa.,  in  the  latter  part  of  March,  during  April  and  from  May  1st 
to  15th.  Sixteen  of  these  birds  had  fed  exclusively  on  buds  and 
blossoms;  three,  small  seeds;  two,  beetles  and  flies  in  addition  to 
vegetable  matter.  In  this  locality  the  buds  of  the  beech  and  maple 
trees  constitute  a  very  large  proportion  of  their  diet.  Wilson  writing  of 
this  species  says :  "  This  is  a  winter  bird  of  passage,  coming  to  us  in 
large  flocks  from  the  north  in  September  and  October;  great  numbers 
remaining  with  us  in  Pennsylvania  during  the  whole  winter,  feeding  on 
the  seeds  of  the  poplar,  button  wood,  juniper,  cedar  and  on  those  of 
many  rank  weeds  that  flourish  in  rich  bottoms  and  along  the  margins  of 
creeks.  When  the  season  is  very  severe,  they  proceed  to  the  south  as 
far  at  least  as  Georgia,  returning  north  early  in  April.  They  now  fre- 

*  According  to  the  observations  of  my  friend  Prof.  August  Kock,  this  species  is  a  regular  breeder  in  the 
city  of  WlUlamsport  (Lycoming  county).  Their  bulky  nests,  composed  externally  of  twigs  or  small 
sticks,  and  lined  internally  with  miscellaneous  and  soft  materials,  have  always  been  found,  by  Prof. 
Kock.  in  a  Norway  or  other  pine  tree.  The  gentleman  named  above  says  he  has  never  known  them  to 
breed  in  woods  in  his  locality,  but  always  in  trees  along  the  streets  or  in  yards. 


228  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


quent  the  elm  trees,  feeding  on  the  slender  but  sweet  covering  of  the 
flowers ;  and,  as  soon  as  the  cherries  put  out  their  blossoms,  feed  almost 
exclusively  on  the  stamina  of  the  flowers ;  afterwards,  the  apple  blossoms 
are  attacked  in  the  same  manner ;  and  their  depredations  on  these  contin- 
ued till  they  disappear,  which  is  usually  about  the  10th  or  middle  of  May." 
I  have  have  never  found  the  nest  of  this  bird.  According  to  different 
writers  it  is  usually  placed  in  evergreens  or  orchard  trees,  and  is  com- 
posed of  grass,  strips  of  bark  and  various  vegetable  fibers.  The  eggs, 
said  to  be,  usually  four  in  number,  are  described  as  being  dull-green, 
spotted,  chiefly  about  the  larger  end,  with  very  dark-brown;  they  vary 
considerably  in  size,  but  average  probably  .86  long  by  .65  wide. 

GENUS  LOXIA  LINNAEUS. 


Loxia  curvirostra  minor 

American  Crossbill, 

DESCRIPTION  {Plate 93). 

Male  dull  red ;  wings  arid  tail  blackish  ;  i'emale  brownish-olive,  tinged  with  yel- 
low and  streaked  with  dusky.  Immature  birds,  often  considerably  different  from 
the  adults,  can  always  be  recognized  by  their  sickle-shaped  bills  and  the  absence  of 
white  wing  bands.  Length  about  6  inches  ;  extent  about  11. 

Habitat. — Northern  North  America,  resident  sparingly  south  in  the  eastern  United 
States  to  Maryland  and  Tennessee  and  in  the  Alleghanies  ;  irregularly  abundant  in 
winter  ;  resident  south  in  the  Rocky  mountains  to  Colorado. 

Two  species  and  one  geographical  race,*  of  the  genus  Loxia  are  found 
in  North  America.  Both  species  occur  in  Pennsylvania.  Crossbills,  as 
the  name  would  indicate,  can,  by  their  bill  alone,  be  known  from  all 
other  of  our  feathered  visitants.  The  American  Crossbill  and  the  White- 
winged  species  may  be  distinguished  without  difficulty,  if  you  remem- 
ber that  the  first-named  never  has  white  bands  on  the  wings,  and  the 
other  species,  whether  in  adult  or  immature  plumage,  has,  as  its  specific 
name  signifies,  white  wing  marks.  The  Crossbills,  inhabitants  chiefly 
of  pine  and  hemlock  forests,  are  frequently  met  with,  during  autumn 
and  winter  months,  in  various  sections  of  this  commonwealth. 

The  American  Crossbill  breeds  regularly  in  Clinton,  Clearneld,  Lu- 
zerne,  Lycoming  and  Cameron  counties,  and  also  doubtless  in  the  higher 
mountainous  regions  in  other  parts  of  the  state.  Dr.  W.  L.  Hartman, 
of  Pittston,  has  taken  the  nest  and  eggs  of  this  bird,  in  March,  in  Lu- 
zerne  county,  and  Prof.  August  Kock  has  observed  the  old  birds  with 
their  young  early  in  May  feeding  on  the  buds  and  blossoms  of  apple 
trees  about  Williamsport.  Dr.  Yan  Fleet  informs  me  they  are  found  at 
all  seasons  about  Eenovo.  In  nearly  all  the  mountainous  regions  of 
Pennsylvania  the  Crossbills  are  quite  common  in  winter,  and  are  found 
often  in  large  flocks,  which  number  sometimes  two  hundred,  frequent- 

*  The  Mexican  Crossbill  (Loxia  curvirostra  stricklandi,  Ridgw. ),  found  in  Colorado,  southern  Arizona 
and  the  table  lands  of  Mexico,  is  said  to  differ  from  the  American  Crossbill  in  being  brighter  in  color  and 
having  a  slightly  larger  bill;  the  lower  mandible  especially  is  heavier  than  that  of  L.  c.  minor. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  229 


ing-  chiefly  pine  and  hemlock  trees,  on  the  seeds  of  which  they  mainly 
subsist.  They  also  visit  log  cabins  and  other  buildings  about  the 
forests,  and  pick  at  the  mud  used  to  fill  up  the  chinks  between  the  logs, 
etc.  The  nest  of  this  bird  is  said  to  be  built  usually  in  a  coniferous 
tree  and  composed  of  twigs,  strips  and  fibers  of  bark,  hair,  small  roots, 
grasses,  etc.;  "eggs,  three  to  four,  .75  by  .57, pale-greenish,  spotted  and 
dotted  about  larger  end  with  dark,  purplish-brown,  with  lavender  shell- 
markings." — Coues. 


Loxia  leucoptera  GMEL. 

White-winged  Crossbill. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  93). 

Size  about  same  as  American  Crossbill. 

Male. — General  color  rosy-red ;  scapulars,  wings  and  tail  black. 

Female. — General  color  greenish-olive,  breast  yellowish  ;  wings  and  tail  dusky- 
brown.  The  young,  very  similar  to  female,  are  streaked  with  dusky,  and  all  have 
tips  of  middle  and  greater  coverts  white,  forming  two  showy  white  wing  bands, 
which  in  any  plumage,  and  their  peculiar  sickle-like  bills,  will  enable  you  to  dis- 
tinguish them  from  other  of  the  Fringillidce. 

Habitat. — Northern  parts  of  North  America,  south  into  the  United  States  in 
winter.  Breeds  from  northern  New  England  northward. 

The  White-winged  Crossbill  from  all  the  information  I  can  obtain 
does  not  build  in  Pennsylvania  where  it  occurs  only  as  a  winter  visitor. 
This  species  is  found  in  the  same  localities  as  the  American  Crossbill, 
but,  unlike  the  last-mentioned  bird,  it  appears  to  be  much  less  common 
and  more  irregular  in  its  visits.  In  the  winter  of  1889-90  White-winged 
Crossbills  were  very  common  in  Wyoming,  Lackawanna  and  Susque- 
hanna  counties.  Crossbills  are  nearly  always  to  be  found  in  flocks. 
The  food  of  this  species  is  similar  to  that  of  the  American  Crossbill. 


GENUS  ACANTHIS  BECHSTEIN. 
Acanthis  linaria  (  LINN.  ) . 

Redpoll ;  Little  Snow-bird. 

DESCRIPTION. 

The  small  and  very  acute  bill  is  yellow,  a  dusky  streak  extends  backward  from 
point  of  each  mandible  ;  legs,  feet,  claws  and  iris 'dark  ;  tail  deeply  forked. 

Adult  male.— Above  brownish-yellow,  each  feather  streaked  with  dark-brown  and 
margined  with  grayish  ;  tail  and  wings  dusky  edged  with  whitish  ;  two  white  wing 
bars  ;  a  narrow  frontal  space,  throat  patch  and  lores  dull  black  (feathers  of  frontal 
region  somewhat  whitish).  Top  of  head  red  ;  breast  and  sides  more  or  less  colored 
with  red  ;  rump  and  upper  tail-coverts  streaked  with  white  and  dusky,  and  in  some 
specimens  tinged  with  pinkish  ;  lower  parts  generally  white  but  sides  and  under 
tail-coverts  have  dusky  streaks. 

Female.—  Very  similar  to  male,  but  breast  is  usually  of  a  yellowish  tint  and  not 


230  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

red ;  top  of  head  red  but  not  as  bright  as  in  male.    The  red  on  top  of  he^id  of  young 
male  is  often  of  a  coppery  hue.     Length  about  5|  inches  ;  extent  about  9  inches. 

Habitat.— Northern  portions  of  Northern  Hemisphere,  south  irregularly  in  winter, 
in  North  America,  to  the  middle  United  States  (Washington,  D.  C.,  Kansas,  south- 
eastern Oregon). 

The  Redpoll,  a  native  of  high  northern  latitudes,  occurs  in  the  south- 
ern parts  of  Pennsylvania  only  as  an  irregular  and  occasional  winter 
visitant,  but  in  some  sections  of  the  northern  portions  of  the  state  it 
appears  to  be  a  rather  common  and  regular  winter  visitor.  Redpolls 
were  exceedingly  abundant  in  eastern  Pennsylvania  in  the  winter  of 
1878-79,  at  which  time  they  were  observed  about  fields  and  houses  in 
flocks  of  from  twenty  to  two  hundred  or  more.  Last  winter  (1889-90) 
they  were  found  in  large  flocks  in  the  neighborhood  of  Montoursville, 
Ly coming  county,  by  Mr.  F.  F.  Castlebury,  and  they  were  also  quite 
plentiful  in  different  sections  of  Wyoming,  Lackawanna  and  Susque- 
hanna  counties,  where  a  number  of  specimens  were  obtained  by  Mr. 
George  P.  Friant,  of  Scranton,  and  myself.  The  note  of  the  Redpoll  is 
very  similar  to  that  of  the  American  Goldfinch  (Spinus  tristis,  Linn.). 
The  food,  during  their  sojourn  with  us,  consists  almost  entirely  of  seeds 
of  various  grasses  and  weeds ;  the  buds  of  different  trees  and  some  few 
insects  are  also  eaten. 


GENUS  SPINUS  KOCH. 
Spinus  tristis  (Lure.). 

American  Goldfinch;    Salad-bird;   Wild-canary;  Yellow-bird;  Thistle- 
bird. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  31.     Fig.  I,  adult  male  in  summer). 

Legs,  feet  and  bill  flesh  color.  The  male  in  early  autumn  loses  his  black  cap,  and 
his  bright  yellow  upper  and  lower  parts  change  to  a  dull  brownish  or  greenish-yel- 
low, similar  to  the  general  plumage  of  the  female.  The  male  in  winter  may  often 
be  distinguished  by  the  darker  tail  and  wing  feathers  with  their  more  conspicuous 
white  or  whitish  markings. 

Female.— No  black  cap  ;  upper  parts  olivaceous  ;  wings  and  tail  dusky,  marked 
with  whitish  as  in  male ;  lower  parts  whitish,  more  or  less  tinged  with  yellowish. 

Young. — Like  winter  adults,  but  duller  in  color.  Length  about  5|  inches ;  extent 
about  9  inches. 

Habitat. — North  America  generally,  breeding  southward  to  the  middle  districts  of 
the  United  States  (to  about  the  Potomac  and  Ohio  rivers,  Kansas  and  California), 
and  wintering  mostly  south  of  the  northern  boundary  of  the  United  States. 

The  American  Goldfinch  is  a  common  resident  in  Pennsylvania  dur- 
ing all  seasons.  These  birds  are  usually  observed  in  flocks  which  move 
from  one  locality  to  another  as  their  food  diminishes.  Even  in  the 
breeding  season  (June,  July  and  August),  it  is  not  uncommon  to  find 
several  families  nesting  within  a  short  distance  of  each  other.  The 
males  in  summer  frequently  associate  in  small  flocks.  The  nest,  an  ex- 
ceedingly neat  and  beautiful  cup-shaped  structure,  is  composed  exter- 


Plate  56. 


Ruby-throated  Humming-bird. 
1.  Male;    2.  female. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  231 

nally  of  various  pliant  plant  substances,  and  lined  inside  with  downy 
materials  chiefly  of  a  vegetable  character ;  it  is  placed  usually  in  the 
crotch  of  a  small  tree  in  the  orchard,  garden,  or  along  the  roadside.  I 
have  mostly  found  their  nests,  in  the  vicinity  of  West  Chester,  in  small 
hickory  and  maple  trees.  Eggs  commonly  five,  white,  with  faint  blue- 
ish  tint,  .66  by  .50.  This  Goldfinch,  particularized  by  naturalists  as 
tristis,  from  its  low  and  plaintive  notes,  is  known  by  a  number  of  com- 
mon names  which  have  reference  either  to  his  color  or  the  seeds,  etc., 
of  plants  on  which  he  feeds.  These  birds  subsist  mainly  on  vegetable 
materials,  particularly  different  kinds  of  small  seeds  of  grasses,  weeds, 
cultivated  flowers,  etc.  The  Salad-bird,  like  the  Crimson  Finch,  is  fond 
of  feasting  on  the  blossoms  of  apple,  cherry  and  maple  trees ;  the  seeds 
of  the  dandelion,  thistle  and  sunflower  enter  largely  into  his  bill  of 
fare.  During  the  summer  months,  especially  when  they  have  young, 
the  food  consists  principally  of  insects,  such  as  small  beetles,  plant-lice, 
different  species  of  flies  and  small  grasshoppers ;  also  small  larvae. 


Spinus  pinus  (WiLS.). 

Pine  Siskin  ;  Pine  Finch. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  31.    Fig.  2). 

Bill  very  acute  ;  bill,  feet  and  iris  brown  ;  tail  forked  ;  above  brownish-olive  ;  be- 
neath whitish,  feathers  streaked  with  dusky  ;  concealed  bases  of  tail  feathers  and 
quills,  together  with  their  inner  edges,  sulphur-yellow  ;  outer  edges  of  quills  and 
tail  feathers  yellowish-green  ;  two  brownish-white  bands  on  the  wing  ;  a  bright  Bel- 
low spot  in  some  specimens  back  of  posterior  wing-band. 

Young.—  Similar  to  adults  but  more  rusty-brown.  Length  about  4.80  inches  ;  ex- 
tent about  8.75  inches. 

Habitat. — North  America  generally,  breeding  mostly  north  of  the  United  States 
and  in  the  Rocky  mountain  region  ;  in  winter  south  to  the  Gulf  states  and  Mexico. 

The  Pine  Finch  is  a  common  winter  resident  in  Pennsylvania.  It  ar- 
rives in  this  region  early  in  October  and  departs  usually  in  April. 
These  birds  are  found  mostly  in  flocks  of  twenty  to  thirty  each  ;  often- 
times solitary  individuals  or  pairs  are  seen  in  company  with  snowbirds 
and  different  species  of  sparrows.  As  its  specific  name  would  indicate 
it  delights  especially  to  dwell  in  pine  forests.  They  feed  on  small  seeds, 
cones  of  different  pines,  small  berries,  some  few  insects,  and  also,  to  a 
small  extent,  on  buds  of  maple  and  other  trees.  I  have,  several  times 
during  the  summer  months,  seen  Pine  Finches  in  the  mountainous 
regions  of  our  state  where,  I  have  no  doubt,  some  every  season  rear 
their  young.  Prof.  August  Kock  informs  me  that  this  species  occasion- 
ally at  least,  if  not  regularly,  breeds  in  the  mountainous  districts  of 
Lycoming  county. 


232  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

GENUS  PLECTROPHENAX  STEJNEGER. 
Plectrophenax  nivalis  (LINN.). 

Snowflake  ;  Snow  Bunting ;  White  Snow-bird. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  94). 

Length  about  7  inches ;  extent  about  12^  ;  legs  black. 

*  Adult  in  winter  plumage.— Bill  brownish-yellow,  darker  at  point;  upper  parts 
generally  brownish  and  blackish  ;  central  tail  leathers  and  most  of  the  primaries  for 
about  half  their  length  towards  ends,  blackish  ;  under  surface  of  wings,  most  of  sec- 
ondaries, and  lateral  tail  feathers  chiefly  white.     Under  parts  chiefly  white,  sides  of 
head  and  chest  are  more  or  less  distinctly  marked  with  rusty.     The  female  is  smaller 
than  male  and  has  less  white  on  wing. 

Habitat. — Northern  parts  of  the  Northern  Hemisphere,  breeding  in  the  Arctic  re- 
gions ;  in  North  America,  south  in  winter  into  the  northern  United  States,  irregu- 
larly to  Georgia,  southern  Illinois  and  Kansas. 

This  beautiful  bird,  readily  recognized  by  its  white  and  rusty  plum 
age  occurs  in  Pennsylvania  only  as  an  occasional  winter  visitant,  except 
in  th^  region  about  Lake  Erie,  where  Mr.  Sennett,  and  other  observers 
assure  me  it  is  found  as  a  regular  winter  sojourner.  In  1889,  Mr.  Geo. 
Russell,  of  Erie  city,  killed  one  of  these  birds  as  early  as  the  12th  of 
October,  at  the  bay,  where  I  observed  this  species  in  nocks  of  two  hun- 
dred or  more,  in  November  and  December  of  the  same  year.  When 
noted  in  the  other  parts  of  the  state  Snowflakes  are  usually  seen 
in  flocks,  which  sometimes  contain  one,  two  or  three  hundred  each. 
The  Snow  Bunting,  during  its  stay  in  this  region,  subsists  mainly  on 
seeds  of  various  weeds,  grasses,  etc.,  which  it  finds  in  fields  and  meadows. 

GENUS  CALCARIUS  BECHSTEIN. 
Calcarius  lapponicus  (LiNN.). 

Lapland  Longspur. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Bill  moderate  ;  hind  claw  straightish  with  its  digit  longer  than  the  middle  toe  and 
claw. 

Adult  male.—  Head  and  throat  jet  black,  bordered  with  buffyor  whitish,  which 
forms  a  postocular  line  separating  the  black  of  the  crown  from  that  of  the  sides  of 
the  head  ;  a  broad  chestnut  cervical  collar  ;  upper  parts  in  general  blackish,  streaked 
with  butty  or  whitish  on  edges  of  all  the  feathers  ;  below  whitish,  the  breast  and 
sides  streaked  with  black  ;  wings  dusky,  the  greater  coverts  and  inner  secondaries 
edged  with  dull  bay  ;  tail,  dusky,  with  an  oblique  white  area  on  the  outer  feathers  ; 
bill  yellowish,  tipped  with  black  ;  legs  and  feet  black.  Winter,  males  show  less 
black  on  head  and  the  cervical  chestnut  duller ;  the  female  and  young  have  no  con- 
tinuous black  on  head,  and  the  crown  is  streaked  like  the  back,  and  there  are  faint 
traces  of  the  cervical  collar.  Length  about  6^  ;  extent  about  11^  inches.— Coues. 

*  In  summer  or  breeding  dress  the  adults,  particularly  the  males,  are  pure  white,  the  back,  wings  and  tail 
variegated  with  black.     Bill  black.     The  female  Is  quite  similar,  but  has  a  little  more  brownish. 


Plate  57. 


American  Crow.       2,  3.  Cow-bird. 
Female  and  Male. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  233 

Habitat. — Northern  portions  of  the  Northern  Hemisphere,  breeding  far  north  ;  in 
North  America  south  in  winter  to  the  northern  United  States,  irregularly  to  the  Mid- 
dle States,  accidentally  to  South  Carolina,  and  abundantly  in  the  interior  to  Kansas 
and  Colorado. 

The  Lapland  Longspur  is  a  tolerably  common  and  regular  visitor 
about  Lake  Erie,  and  at  the  bay,  from  November  until  late  in  March, 
when  it  is  found  in  small  flocks,  or  scattered  individuals  are  often  seen 
in  company  with  Horned  Larks,  Snowflakes  or  other  species  of  the  spar- 
row tribe.  In  other  parts  of  Pennsylvania  this  species  occurs  as  a  rather 
rare  and  irregular  winter  visitor,  and  it  appears  to  visit  the  eastern  and 
southern  parts  of  the  state  only  in  excessively  cold  weather,  accompa- 
nied by  great  snow  falls.  Feeds  on  seeds  of  weeds  and  grasses,  and  fre- 
quents the  same  localities  as  the  Snowflake. 


GENUS   POOC^E3TES  BAIRD. 
Poocsetes  gramineus  (GMEL.). 

Vesper  Sparrow  ;  Grass  Pinch  ;  Bay-winged  Bunting-. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  32.     Fi<j.  I}. 

Length  about  6  inches ;  extent  about  10  inches. 

No  yellow  anywhere ;  outer  tail  feathers  partly  white,  above  brownish  streaked 
with  dusky  ;  below  dull  white,  streaked  on  sides,  throat  and  breast .with  pale  brown- 
ish ;  lesser  wing-coverts  chestnut. 

Habitat. — Eastern  North  America  to  the  plains,  from  Nova  Scotia  and  Ontario 
southward  ;  breeds  from  Virginia,  Kentucky  and  Missouri  northward. 

The  Bay-winged  Bunting-  is  a  common  summer  resident  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  during'  the  winter  months  is  quite  frequently  to  be  met  with 
in  the  southern  portions  of  the  state.  This  plainly  attired  songster  may 
readily  be  recognized  from  other  of  the  Frinyillidce  by  the  bright  chest- 
nut colored  lesser  wing-coverts  and  the  white  lateral  tail  feathers,  the 
latter  being-  most  conspicuous  when  the  bird  is  flying.  These  birds  in- 
habit chiefly  dry  pasture  fields  and  meadows  ;  they  visit  plowed  grounds, 
and  are  frequently  to  be  observed  perched  on  fence  rails  in  fields  or 
along  the  roadsides,  and,  as  Nuttall  remarks,  they  are  fond  of  dusting 
themselves  and  basking  in  dry  places.  Although  the  Vesper  Sparrow 
is  mainly  terrestrial  in  habits,  he  may  often  be  seen  searching  most  in- 
dustriously in  apple  trees  for  various  forms  of  insect  life.  These  birds, 
when  not  engaged  in  breeding,  are  more  or  less  gregarious  and  are  often 
seen  in  company  with  other  sparrows.  The  nest,  composed  of  dried 
grasses,  is  built  in  a  depression  in  the  ground.  The  top  of  the  nest  is 
generally  on  a  level  with  the  hollow  in  which  it  rests ;  sometimes  it  is 
partly  concealed  by  overhanging  grasses ;  eggs,  four  to  five,  grayish- 
white  or  rusty-brown,  spotted,  lined  and  blotched  with  brown  and  black  ; 
about  .83  of  an  inch  long  and  .60  of  an  inch  wide. 

Bay-winged  Buntings  subsist  principally  on  seeds  of  grasses,  weeds 


234  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

and  other  plants.  During  the  summer  they  feed  to  a  considerable  ex- 
tent on  beetles,  flies,  spiders,  earth-worms  and  various  larvae ;  they  like- 
wise eat  strawberries,  mulberries,  blackberries,  and,  according  to  Mr. 
Gentry,  the  fruit  of  the  wild  choke-cherry.  The  buds  of  apple,  beech 
and  maple  trees  are  also  occasionally  fed  upon. 

GENUS  AMMODRAMUS  SWAINSON. 
Ammodramus  sandwichensis   savanna  (WiLS.)- 

S avail ii it  Sparrow. 

DESCRIPTION. 

"  Feathers  of  the  upper  parts  generally  with  a  central  streak  of  blackish-brown  ; 
the  streaks  of  the  back  with  a  slight  rufous  suffusion  laterally  ;  the  feathers  edged 
with  gray,  which  is  lightest  on  the  scapulars  ;  crown  with  a  broad  median  stripe  of 
yellowish-gray  ;  a  superciliary  streak  from  the  bill  to  the  back  of  the  head,  eyelids, 
and  edge  of  the  wing  yellow  ;  a  yellowish -white  maxillary  stripe  curving  behind 
the  ear-coverts,  and  margined  above  and  below-  by  brown  ;  the  lower  margin  is  a 
series  of  thickly  crowded  spots  on  the  sides  of  the  throat,  which  are  also  found  on  the 
sides  of  the  neck,  across  the  upper  part  of  the  breast,  and  on  the  sides  of  the  body  ;  a 
few  spots  on  the  throat  and  chin  ;  rest  of  under  parts  white  ;  tarsus  flesh  color ;  feet 
brown  ;  iris  dark  brown.  Length  about  5.25  inches  ;  extent  about  8.75."— .B.  B.  of 
N.A. 

Habitat.— Eastern  province  of  North  America,  breeding  from  the  northern  United 
States  to  Labrador  and  Hudson's  Bay  territory. 

The  Savanna  Sparrow  is  a  moderately  abundant  spring  and  fall  mi- 
grant in  eastern  Pennsylvania.  During  mild  winters  it  is  not  unusual 
to  find  this  species  in  the  southern  portions  of  this  state ;  ordinarily, 
however,  these  birds  arrive  in  Pennsylvania  ajbout  April  1,  and,  in  pairs 
or  parties  of  five  or  six,  may  be  found  frequenting  chiefly  low  damp 
ground  in  open  fields  (along  fences),  meadows  and  the  borders  of  grassy 
ponds  and  pools.  I  have  never  observed  this  sparrow,  in  the  spring, 
later  than  April  25.  Dr.  John  W.  Detwiller,  of  Bethlehem,  has  found 
the  Savanna  Sparrow  nesting  in  Pennsylvania ;  Mr.  Sennett  also  informs 
me  that  it  breeds  sparingly  in  Crawford  and  Erie  counties,  arid  Dr.  Yan 
Fleet  has  observed  it  as  a  rare  native  in  Clinton  county.  Never  having 
been  fortunate  enough  to  find  the  nest  or  eggs  of  this  bird,  I  quote  the 
following  concerning  them  from  Dr.  Coues'  Key :  "  Nest  sunken  in  ground 
flush  with  surface,  of  a  few  grasses  and  weed-stalks ;  eggs,  four  to  six,  .70 
by  .50,  varying  interminably  in  their  motley  coloring ;  usually  heavily 
clouded  and  blotched  with  dark  brown ;  most  like  those  of  Pooccetes,  but 
smaller."  This  bird  is  seldom  seen  to  perch  on  trees  or  bushes,  some- 
times, though  not  often,  he  may  be  observed  to  alight  on  the  lowermost 
rails  of  fences ;  but,  occasionally,  usually  when  frightened,  I  have  ob- 
served them  fly  into  trees  and  crouch  close  to  the  limbs  as  if  endeavor- 
ing to  hide.  When  passing  southward  the  Savanna  Sparrows  make  then- 
appearance  in  this  locality  about  the  middle  of  September.  Their  food 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  235 

consists  principally  of  different  kinds  of  small  seeds,  also  small  beetles, 
grasshoppers,  spiders,  ants  and  small  mollusca. 


Ammodramus  savannarum  passerinus  (WiLS.). 

Grasshopper  Sparrow ;  Yellow-winged  Sparrow. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  32.   Fig.  S). 

"  Bill  stout ;  legs  flesh  color ;  tail  double  rounded.  Above  brownish-rufous,  mar- 
gined narrowly  and  abruptly  with  ash  color ;  reddest  on  lower  part  of  back  and 
rump  ;  the  feathers  all  abruptly  black  in  the  central  portion  ;  this  color  visible  on 
the  interscapular  region,  where  the  rufous  is  more  restricted  ;  crown  blackish,  with 
a  central  and  superciliary  stripe  of  yellowish  tinged  with  brown,  brightest  in  front 
of  the  eye ;  bend  of  the  wing  bright  yellow ;  lesser  coverts  tinged  with  greenish- 
yellow  ;  quills  and  tail  feathers  edged  with  whitish  ;  tertiaries  much  variegated  ; 
lower  parts  brownish-yellow ;  belly  white  or  nearly  so  ;  feathers  of  upper  breast 
and  sides  of  body  with  obsoletely  darker  centers. 

Young.—  Very  similar  to  adult ;  upper  part  of  breast  streaked  with  dark  brown, 
much  more  distinct  than  in  the  adult,  and  exhibiting  a  close  resemblance  to  A.  hens- 
ioivii.  Feathers  of  upper  parts  with  less  brownish  rufous  but  more  ashy  edgings. 
Length  about  5  inches ;  extent  about  8  inches." — B.  B.  N.  A. 

Habitat.—  Eastern  United  States  and  southern  Canada  to  the  plains,  south  to 
Florida,  Cuba,  Porto  Rico  and  coast  of  Central  America. 

This  bird  is  somewhat  irregularly  distributed.  In  the  southern  and 
southeastern  portions  of  our  state  it  is  quite  common  from  about  May  1 
to  the  middle  of  September.  In  Crawford  and  Erie  counties,  or  in  the 
extreme  northwestern  part  of  the  commonwealth,  Mr.  George  B.  Sennett 
has  found  it  to  be  a  rare  summer  sojourner.  It  is  reported  to  be  a  rather 
common  summer  resident  in  central  Pennsylvania.  I  have  found  them 
to  be  very  common  in  summer  at  State  College,  in  Centre  county.  The 
name  Grasshopper  Sparrow  is  given  because  its  note  bears  a  very  close 
resemblance  to  that  of  the  grasshopper.  In  Chester  and  the  neighbor- 
ing counties  this  bird  is  a  common  frequenter  of  dry  sandy  meadows, 
clover  and  grass  fields,  about  which  it  may  often  be  seen  perched  on  the 
top  of  low  weeds  or  on  posts  and  fence  rails.  This  is  one  of  the  spar- 
rows to  be  seen  in  the  summer  time  perched  on  the  fences  along  the 
roadsides.  I  have  never  observed  a  bird  of  this  species  in  a  tree,  and  it 
rarely  is  seen  to  perch  on  bushes.  The  nest  is  built  on  the  ground,  and 
is  usually  concealed  by  a  tuft  of  grass  or  a  bunch  of  weeds.  It  is  com- 
posed of  dry  grasses,  horse  hair  and  fine  roots ;  eggs,  four  or  five,  white 
with  reddish-brown  spots,  .72  length  by  .61  breadth. 

The  Yellow-winged  Sparrow,  during  its  residence  with  us,  feeds  prin- 
cipally on  different  kinds  of  insect  life  ;  the  small  seeds  of  various  plants, 
grasses  and  weeds  are  also  taken.  Beetles,  grasshoppers,  flies,  earth- 
worms, etc.,  are  eaten  in  large  numbers ;  the  young,  when  in  charge  of 
the  parents,  are  fed  chiefly  on  spiders  and  larvae. 


236  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


Ammo  dram  us  henslowii  (Aim.). 

Henslow's  Sparrow. 

DESCBIPTION. 

A  little  smaller  but  very  similar  to  the  Grasshopper  Sparrow  ;  tail  a  little  longer  ; 
top  of  head  heavily  streaked  with  black,  divided  by  pale  greenish-gray  stripe  ;  occi- 
put and  back  of  neck  greenish-gray  with  black  streaks;  a  blackish  streak  back  of 
eye,  and  another  one  back  of  lower  mandible,  throat  and  belly  whitish,  conspicuously 
streaked  with  black  ;  the  breast,  sides  and  flanks  are  light  yellowish-brown  ;  upper 
surface  of  wings  mostly  chestnut ;  back  and  scapular  leathers  chestnut  with  con- 
spicuous black  centers,  edged  with  whitish,  except  towards  the  rump,  where  the 
edgings  are  mainly  olivaceous  or  buff. 

Habitat. — Eastern  United  States,  west  to  the  plains,  north  to  southern  New  Eng- 
land and  Ontario. 

Henslow's  Sparrow,  according-  to  my  observation,  occurs  in  Pennsyl- 
vania as  a  rare  spring-  and  fall  migrant.  It  frequents  fields  and  mea- 
dows, and  it  easily  escapes  notice  by  hiding-  in  the  weeds  and  grasses. 
Nests  of  this  species  have  been  taken  in  our  state  by  Dr.  Detwiller,  of 
Bethlehem,  and  Mr.  Koddy,  of  Millersville.  Dr.  Coues  says  it  is  "  com- 
mon about  Washington  (D.  C.),  where  it  breeds  in  fields  and  meadows  ; 
nest  on  the  ground  in  tufts  of  grass.  Eggs,  four  to  five,  greenish- 
white,  profusely  speckled  with  reddish,  .75  by  .57."  This  sparrow  ar- 
rives here  about  the  first  of  May  and  departs  in  September.  Food  about 
same  as  that  of  the  Grasshopper  Sparrow. 

GENUS  ZONOTRICHIA  SWAINSOK. 
Zonotrichia  leucophrys  (FoRST.). 

White-crowned  Sparrow. 

DESCRIPTION  {Plate  95). 

Length  about  7^  inches ;  extent  about  10|  ;  no  yellow  011  head  or  wing,  as  in  the 
next  species.  Adult  may  be  known  by  conspicuous  black  and  white  head  stripes, 
and  the  light  grayish  or  ashy  markings  well  shown  in  plate.  "  Young,  first  winter, 
head-stripes  chestnut-brown  and  dull  buff;  otherwise  similar  to  adult.  Young, 
first  plumage,  crown  dusky-blackish  on  sides,  the  middle  whitish,  streaked  with 
dusky  ;  throat  and  breast  more  or  less  streaked  with  dusky."— Ornith.  of  111.  Ridgw. 

Habitat.— North  America  at  large,  breeding  chiefly  in  the  Rocky  mountain  region 
(including  Sierra  Nevada)  and  northeast  to  Labrador. 

Regular,  but  not  common  spring  and  fall  migrant,  and  occasionally  a 
few  are  found  during  mild  winters  in  the  southern  parts  of  the  state. 
This  species  frequents  the  same  localities  as  the  White-throated  Spar 
row,  but  it  is  less  frequently  seen  in  woods  and  orchards  than  the  last- 
mentioned  bird,  being  mostly  found  about  brush  heaps,  along  hedge 
rows  and  bushy  places  in  fields  and  near  the  borders  of  woods,  etc.  Its 
food  consists  chiefly  of  small  seeds  of  different  grasses,  weeds,  etc.,  and 
it  also  feeds  to  some  extent  on  buds  and  blossoms  of  different  trees, 
bushes,  etc. 


Plate  58. 


1.  Red-breasted  Nut-h&teh.      2,  3.  Purple  Martin. 

Kale  and  Female. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  237 


Zonotrichia  albicollis  (GMEL.). 

White-throated  Sparrow. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  95). 

Size  about  same  as  leucophrys. 

Male. — Two  broad  black  stripes  on  crown  divided  by  a  narrow  white  line,  a  showy 
yellow  stripe,  from  bill  to  middle  of  eye,  joins  a  white  stripe  which  runs  back  to  the 
occiput;  throat  patch  white;  edge  of  wing  yellow.  Upper  parts  mostly  chestnut 
streaked  with  black  ;  two  showy  white  wing  bars  ;  sides  of  head,  neck  in  front,  and 
breast,  ashy  or  pale  lead  color.  The  female  is  similar  but  duller.  The  young  and 
most  specimens  taken  in  autumn  have  throat,  breast,  and  sides,  more  or  less  streaked 
with  dusky.  In  a  large  number  of  specimens  before  me  I  see  a  trace  of  yellow  be- 
tween the  eyes  and  bill,  as  well  as  on  edge  of  wing.  These  yellow  markings  and 
the  large  size  are  sufficient  to  identify  the  species. 

Habitat.— Eastern  North  America,  west  to  the  plains,  north  to  Labrador  and  the 
Fur  Countries.  Breeds  in  northern  Michigan,  northern  New  York  and  northern  New- 
England,  and  winters  from  the  Middle  States  southward. 

This  beautiful  sparrow,  one  of  our  most  common  spring-  and  fall  mi- 
grants, is  found  usually  in  small  flocks  about  woods,  apple  orchards, 
gardens  and  shrubbery.  In  the  spring,  particularly  in  April,  and  the 
early  part  of  May,  the  White-throats  subsist  largely,  indeed  chiefly,  on 
the  buds  and  blossoms  of  the  apple,  beech  and  maple  trees.  During- 
their  vernal  migrations  they  may  be  observed,  singly  or  in  flocks,  de- 
vouring the  tender  growth  of  beech  trees,  along  the  edges  of  woods, 
particularly  those  in  the  neighborhood  of  running-  streams.  While  it  is 
true  that  the  buds  and  blossoms  of  apple,  maple  and  some  few  other 
trees  are  eaten,  I  am  quite  certain  that  their  favorite  articles  of  diet,  in 
the  way  of  buds  and  blossoms,  are  those  of  the  beech  trees.  The  dam- 
age which  these  birds  do  to  apple  or  other  fruit  trees  is  so  trifling  that 
the  farmer  or  fruit-grower  should  not  be  prejudiced  against  them.  This 
species  feeds  also  on  various  small  seeds  and  different  insects.  The 
White-throated  Sparrow  is  not  uncommon  as  a  winter  resident  in  several 
of  the  southern  counties  of  Pennsylvania. 


GENUS  SPIZELLA  BONAPARTE. 
Spizella  monticola  (GMEL.). 

Tree  Sparrow. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  94). 

Length  about  6  inches ;  extent  about  9^ ;  the  long  blackish  tail  feathers  are  edged 
with  whitish  ;  maxilla  dark  brown  ;  mandible  yellowish  ;  legs  brown  ;  toes  black- 
ish ;  crown  chestnut  (in  many  specimens  the  crown  feathers,  especially  in  center, 
are  bordered  with  grayish);  broad  whitish  line  over  eye,  and  back  of  eye  a  chestnut 
streak  ;  above,  especially  middle  of  back,  brownish  with  dark  streaks  and  paler 
edgings  ;  lower  parts  whitish  ;  ashy  throat  and  neck,  and  brownish  on  sides  and 
flanks.  No  dusky  streaks  on  lower  parts,  but  a  conspicuous  dusky  spot  in  middle 
of  breast. 


238  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

Habitat.—  Eastern  North  America,  westward  to  the  plains,  and  from  the  Arctic 
ocean  ;  south  in  winter,  to  the  Carolinas,  Kentucky  and  eastern  Kansas.  Breeds 
north  of  the  United  States,  east  of  the  Rocky  mountains. 

This  hardy  sparrow,  the  largest  of  the  genus,  is  an  abundant  winter 
resident  from  late  in  October  to  about  the  middle  of  April.  We  find 
them  in  flocks,  often  in  company  with  Snow-birds  and  other  sparrows, 
frequenting  briery  thickets,  shrubbery,  old  fields  where  various  weeds 
abound,  and  about  hedge  rows.  Weedy  spots  near  the  edge  of  woods, 
or  similar  situations  in  or  near  briery  places  along  the  borders  of  small 
creeks  are  also  favorite  feeding  grounds  for  them.  The  food  of  this 
species  during  its  stay  with  us,  consists  almost  entirely  of  the  seeds  of 
various  weeds,  grasses,  etc. ;  cedar  berries  and  wild  grapes  are  also  some- 
times fed  upon.  I  have  never  known  the  Tree  Sparrow  to  disturb  the 
buds  or  blossoms  of  any  trees  or  bushes,  as  some  writers  assert  it  is  ac- 
customed to  do  in  the  spring  before  migrating  northward.  The  name 
of  Tree  Sparrow  is  given,  not  because  the  bird  is  always  found  in  trees 
or  bushes,  but  fronii  its  common  habit  of  flying  from  the  ground  or 
thickets  into  trees  when  disturbed.  This  bird  not  only  frequently  nests 
on  the  ground,  but  likewise  collects  the  greater  portion  of  its  food  from 
the  earth.  Dr.  John  W.  Detwiller,  of  Bethlehem,  informs  me  that  he 
had  for  some  years,  several  pairs  of  these  birds  in  an  enclosure  of  net 
work,  24x75  feet  and  about  12  feet  high.  They  built  nests,  but  in  only 
a  few  instances  did  they  lay  their  full  sets  of  eggs,  and  none  succeeded 
in  hatching  them. 


Spizella  socialis  (WiLS,)- 

Chipping  Sparrow ;  Chippy. 

DESCRIPTION  {Plate  30.    Fig.  3). 

Length  about  5£  inches  ;  extent  about  8^  ;  bill  dark-brown  or  blackish  ;  legs  pale- 
brownish  ;  feathers  of  forehead  about  base  of  maxilla  black  ;  crown  bright-chestnut ; 
a  whitish  stripe  from  base  of  maxilla,  along  the  chestnut  crown  ;  black  spot  in  front 
of  eye  and  a  black  streak  behind  it;  below  whitish,  or  pale  ashy,  and  unspotted; 
two  whitish  and  narrow  wing  bars  ;  rump,  back  and  sides  of  neck  ashy  ;  middle  of 
back  brownish,  with  conspicuous  black  streaks. 

Young. — Crown  brownish,  streaked  with  blackish,  streak  over  eye  yellowish- 
white  ;  breast  and  sides  with  dusky  lines ;  bill  light  brown. 

Habitat. — Eastern  North  America,  west  to  the  Rocky  mountains,  north  to  Great 
Slave  Lake,  and  south  to  eastern  Mexico. 

The  Chipping  Sparrow,  so  named  from  its  note,  is  an  abundant  sum- 
mer resident  from  early  in  April  to  the  latter  part  of  October.  In  the 
spring  these  birds  are  generally  seen  singly  or  in  pairs ;  in  the  late  sum- 
mer and  fall  the  adults  and  young  collect  together  and  are  to  be  found 
in  flocks  in  company  with  other  species,  especially  the  Field  and  Vesper 
Sparrows.  Chipping  Sparrows  are  common  frequenters  about  the  hab- 
itations of  man  during  the  breeding  •  season,  but  after  rearing  their 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  239 

young  they  repair  to  fields  and  bushes  preparatory  to  migrating  south- 
ward. The  nest,  which  is  built  in  trees  or  shrubbery,  is  made  up  of 
dried  grasses,  or  other  fine  vegetable  materials,  and  lined  with  horse 
hair.  The  bluish-green  egg's,  four  or  five  in  number,  are  marked  usually 
on  the  larger  end  with  a  ring  of  purplish  and  blackish-brown  spots. 
They  measure  about  .70  by  .55  of  an  inch. 

This  species,  in  the  early  spring  and  autumn,  subsists  principally  on 
the  small  seeds  of  different  weeds  and  grasses ;  in  the  summer  months 
both  the  adults  and  young  feed  mainly  on  an  insect  diet,  small  beetles, 
ants,  flies,  spiders  and  numerous  small  "worms"  are  eagerly  devoured. 
Pieces  of  bread,  cake,  or  small  particles  of  meat,  are  also  eaten  with  ap- 
parent relish. 


Spizella  pusilla  (WiLS.)- 

Field  Sparrow. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  8$.   Fig.  2). 

Size  about  the  same  as  the  Chippy,  but  tail  is  longer  than  that  of  socialis.  Bill 
light  reddish  ;  crown  dull-chestnut,  with  mostly  an  indistinct  grayish  stripe  in 
center  ;  no  black  or  white  on  head;  back  quite  rusty,  with  blackish  streaks  ;  sides  of 
head  more  or  less  rusty  ;  back  of  neck  ashy,  washed  with  rusty;  below  whitish  and 
unmarked,  more  or  less  tinged,  especially  anteriorily,  and  on  sides,  with  grayish 
and  pale  rusty. 

Young.— Colors  similar  to  adult  but  duller,  breast  and  sides  more  or  less  streaked 
with  dusky.  Length  about  5£  inches  ;  extent  about  8  inches. 

Habitat.—  Eastern  United  States  and  southern  Canada,  west  to  the  plains. 

Common  summer  resident  from  April  to  November,  and  during  mild 
winters  a  few  of  these  birds  are  sometimes  found  with  us.  The  Field 
Sparrow,  as  its  name  signifies,  is  a  frequenter  of  fields ;  it  delights  es- 
pecially to  inhabit  sandy  weed-grown  fields  or  other  uncultivated  areas 
where  numerous  small  bushes,  particularly  wild  roses,  are  growing. 
Its  somewhat  mournful,  yet  sweet  and  entertaining,  song  may  be  heard 
at  all  times  of  the  day.  The  nest  is  built  on  the  ground  or  in  low 
bushes,  and  is  composed  chiefly  of  grasses,  leaves  and  hair ;  eggs,  four 
or  five,  white,  spotted  with  reddish  brown,  measure  about  .70  by  .50  of 
an  inch.  In  the  early  spring,  fall  and  winter  months,  this  species  feeds 
mainly  on  small  seeds  of  variqus  weeds  and  grasses.  In  summer  the 
old  and  young  subsist  largely  on  different  forms  of  insect  life,  such  as 
small  beetles,  flies,  ants,  spiders,  grasshoppers,  crickets,  earth-worms, 
and  different  larvae.  They  also  feed  on  raspberries,  blackberries  and 
other  similar  soft  fruits ;  it  is  not  uncommon  to  see  the  bill  and  feathers 
about  the  head  and  neck  of  this  bird  more  or  less  discolored  by  the 
juices  of  such  fruit. 


240  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


GENUS  JUNCO  WAGLEE. 
Junco  hyemalis  (LINN.). 

Slate-colored  Junco ;  Snow-bird ;  Black  Snow-bird. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  33.    Fig.  8  and  4}. 

Length  about  6|  inches  ;  extent  about  9^. 

Young  in  first  plumage. — Above  blackish  arid  rusty-brown  in  numerous  streaks  ; 
belly  whitish,  rest  of  lower  parts  profusely  streaked  with  blackish  and  brownish  ; 
outer  tail  feathers  white  like  adults  ;  maxilla  blackish  ;  mandible  paler  about  base, 
but  dark  at  tip. 

Habitat. — North  America  at  large,  but  chiefly  east  of  the  Rocky  mountains,  breed- 
ing from  the  higher  parts  of  the  Alleghames  and  northern  New  York  and  northern 
New  England  northward.  South  in  winter  to  the  Gulf  States. 

The  Snow-bird  is  a  summer  resident  in  nearly  all  the  higher  mountain 
ranges  in  Pennsylvania,  but  in  no  section  of  the  state  have  I  ever  seen 
them  as  abundant  in  summer  as  they  are  along-  the  line  of  the  Bradford, 
Bordell  and  Kinzua  railroad  in  McKean  county,  where  their  nests  may 
be  seen,  often  within  a  few  yards  of  each  other,  in  the  sides  of  the  banks. 
They  are  also  common  breeders  at  Kane,  on  the  Philadelphia  and 
Erie  railroad.  Prof.  August  Kock  has  found  the  Junco  breeding- 
abundantly  in  June  about  Little  Pine  creek  in  Lycoming-  county. 
Late  in  September  the  Snow-birds  retire  from  their  summer  resorts 
and  are  found  during-  the  winter  months,  and  until  about  the  mid- 
dle of  April,  in  the  valleys  and  lowlands,  particularly  in  the  lower 
half  of  the  state.  This  well-known  species  can  readily  be  recognized  by 
its  whitish  bill,  the  dark  colored  head,  neck,  back  and  throat,  its  white 
under  parts  and  the  white  lateral  tail  feathers,  the  latter  being  most 
conspicuous  when  the  bird  is  flying.  Although  these  birds  are  found 
in  all  places,  they  are  most  plentiful  in  bushes,  along  the  banks  of 
streams,  old  weed-grown  fields,  fence  rows  and  bushy  tracts  about  the 
margins  of  woods.  The  nest,  composed  of  dried  grasses,  roots,  etc., 
lined  with  various  soft  materials,  is  placed  on  the  ground.  The  eggs, 
according  to  Dr.  Coues,  number  "  four  or  six,  white,  sprinkled  with  red- 
dish and  darker  brown  dots,  about  .80  by  .60."  During  the  fall,  winter 
and  spring  Snow-birds  feed  almost  entirely  on  seeds  of  divers  weeds  and 
grasses.  Like  the  Chippy,  this  bird  often  is  seen  about  houses,  ready 
to  pick  up  crumbs,  etc.,  which  are  thrown  out. 

GENUS  PASSER  BRISSON. 
Passer  domesticus  (LINN.). 

English  Sparrow  ;  European  House  Sparrow. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  83.    Figs.  1  and  2}. 

Male.— Bill  black,  legs  and  feet  brown  ;  above  reddish  brown,  the  back  streaked 
with  black ;  crown  and  under  parts  brownish  ash  ;  chin  and  throat  black  ;  white 
wing-bar ;  a  large  patch  of  chestnut  on  each  side  of  head,  commencing  over  and  back 


BIEDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  241 

of  eyes  and  spreading  backwards  to  sides  of  neck ;  lesser  wing-coverts  bright 
chestnut. 

Female.— Duller  colored  and  lacking  the  black  on  chin  and  throat ;  pale  brown 
stripe  back  of  eyes  ;  bill  dark-brown,  lower  mandible  yellowish  at  base. 

Young.—  Very  similar  to  female  but  male  often  recognizable  by  a  few  black  patches 
on  throat  and  chin. 

Habitat.— Europe,  etc.  Introduced  about  twenty  years  ago  into  the  United  States, 
where  it  has  become  naturalized  in  nearly  all  inhabited  districts. 

Abundant  resident  about  buildings.  Nests  in  bird  boxes,  holes  in 
trees,  on  branches  of  trees,  in  vines  and  in  various  places  about  houses 
and  other  buildings.  The  nest  is  composed  of  dried  grasses,  pieces  of 
string,  etc.,  lined  with  an  abundance  of  feathers.  The  dull-whitish  eggs, 
from  four  to  seven  in  number,  are  thickly  spotted  and  streaked  with 
different  shades  of  brown.  They  measure  about  .90  by  .62  of  an  inch. 
In  this  locality  at  least  two,  and  probably  more,  broods  are  reared  in  a 
season.  The  English  Sparrow,  as  this  species  is  commonly  known 
throughout  the  United  States,  is  universally  despised  by  farmers,  fruit- 
growers and  naturalists  because  of  its  pernicious  habits.  In  the  spring 
it  feeds  largely  on  the  buds  of  fruit  trees,  bushes  and  vines,  chief  among 
which  may  be  mentioned  the  pear,  apple,  peach,  plum,  cherry,  currant 
and  grape.  Different  garden  products,  such  as  lettuce,  beans,  peas, 
cabbage,  berries,  pears,  apples  and  grapes  are  greedily  fed  upon  The 
sparrow  greatly  damages  the  corn  crop,  tearing  open  the  husks,  devour- 
ing the  tender  part  of  the  ear  and  exposing  the  remainder  to  the  ravages 
of  insects  and  to  atmospheric  changes.  It  alights  on  fields  of  wheat, 
oats  and  barley,  consuming  a  large  quantity,  and,  by  swaying  to  and  fro 
on  the  slender  stalks  and  flapping  its  wings,  showers  the  remainder  on 
the  ground.  In  addition  to  a  much  varied  vegetable  diet,  the  sparrow 
has  been  known  to  kill  and  devour  the  young  of  other  small  birds.  Our 
native  song  and  insectivorous  birds,  viz :  the  Kobin,  Bluebird,  Wren} 
Chippy,  Song  Sparrow,  Red-eyed  Vireo  and  some  few  others,  which 
were  formerly  plentiful  residents  in  our  lawns,  parks  and  gardens,  have 
rapidly  and  steadily  diminished  since  the  hosts  of  pugnacious  sparrows 
have  appeared.  This  species  is  more  or  less  gregarious  at  all  seasons 
of  the  year.  When  not  engaged  in  rearing  their  young  they  are  always 
observed  in  flocks.  In  the  late  summer  and  autumn  they  assemble  in 
flocks  of  hundreds  and  daily  repair  to  the  wheat  and  cornfields  in  the 
vicinity  of  cities  and  towns,  where  they  commit  serious  depredations, 
that  are  only  checked  by  harvesting  the  crops.  In  1883  the  members 
of  the  West  Chester  Microscopical  Society,  and  several  farmers'  clubs 
of  Chester,  Delaware  and  Lancaster  counties,  recognizing  the  great 
injury  which  was  being  done  by  this  feathered  pest,  passed  resolutions 
and  petitioned  our  Legislature,  then  in  session,  to  repeal  that  portion 
of  the  act  of  Assembly  which  made  it  a  misdemeanor  to  kill  the  English 
Sparrow.  Through  the  prompt  and  energetic  efforts  of  Senators  A.  D. 
Harlan,  of  Chester  county,  Thomas  V.  Cooper,  of  Delaware  county,  and 
16  BIRDS. 


242  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

Hon.  M.  S.  Quay,  of  Beaver  county,  the  law  was  so  amended  that  the 
killing*  of  English  Sparrows,  and  the  destroying  of  their  nests,  eggs  or 
young  at  all  seasons  of  the  year  is  now  legalized. 

GENUS  MELOSFIZA  BAIRD. 
Melospiza  fasciata  (GMEL.). 

Song  Sparrow ;  Ground  Chippy. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  SO.   Fig.  4). 

Length  about  6>  inches ;  extent  about  8| ;  bill,  legs  and  feet  brownish  ;  lower 
mandible  paler  at  base ;  general  color  of  upper  parts  brownish  streaked  with  black- 
ish, grayish  and  different  shades  of  brown  ;  crown  dull  brownish  with  an  indistinct 
grayish  line  in  middle ;  a  whitish  line  over  eye  from  bill  to  occiput ;  below  white 
or  whitish  with  numerous  conspicuous  dark-brown  streaks  on  breast,  fore-neck  and 
sides ;  a  showy  black  spot  in  middle  of  breast.  The  young  are  very  similar  to 
adults  but  colors  duller,  more  blended  and  lower  parts  are  more  yellowish  and  the 
streaks  are  much  less  in  size. 

Habitat. — Eastern  United  States  to  the  plains,  breeding  from  Virginia  and  the 
northern  portion  of  the  Lake  States  northward. 

Common  resident,  but  never  seen  in  large  flocks.  Frequents  in  the 
summer,  fence-rows,  shrubbery  in  swamps,  fields  and  gardens.  Although 
this  species  is  found  during  the  summer  about  bushy,  briery  and  weed- 
grown  places  along  streams,  ponds,  ditches,  etc.,  it  is  most  abundant  in 
these  last  named  localities  during  the  winter.  The  appellation  Song 
Sparrow  is  given  because  it  is  one  of  our  most  pleasing-  songsters.  In 
the  dreary  winter  months  the  melodious  voice  of  this  little  minstrel  is 
about  the  only  bird  melody  one  is  apt  to  hear.  The  nest,  composed 
chiefly  of  grasses,  leaves,  weeds,  etc.,  lined  with  fine  grasses  and  weeds, 
is  built  on  the  ground  or  in  a  low  bush.  The  eggs,  mostly  five,  vary 
greatly  both  in  size  and  markings ;  they  are  greenish  or  dull  bluish- 
white,  variously  spotted  with  different  shades  of  brown,  and  measure 
about  .82  by  .60  of  an  inch.  Two,  and  sometimes  three,  broods  are 
raised  in  a  season.  During  the  breeding  season  this  species  feeds  to  a 
more  or  less  extent  on  different  forms  of  insects ;  at  other  times  they 
subsist  principally  on  the  seeds  of  grasses,  weeds,  etc. 

Melospiza  lincolni   (AuD.). 

Lincoln's  Sparrow. 

DESCRIPTION. 

A  little  smaller  than  the  Song  Sparrow  ;  top  of  head  brown,  sharply  streaked  with 
black,  and  divided  in  middle  by  a  grayish  stripe  ;  grayish  lines  from  maxilla  over 
eyes  to  occiput ;  above  grayish-olive,  rather  thickly  and  sharply  streaked  with 
black  ;  belly  white  and  unmarked ;  a  broad  band  across  breast,  and  also  sides  in 
some  specimens  buff  or  yellowish  with  numerous  small  lengthened  streaks  of  black  ; 
tail  feathers  brownish  with  blackish  shafts. 

Habitat.— North  America  at  large,  breeding  chiefly  north  of  the  United  States 
and  in  the  higher  parts  of  the  Rocky  mountains  ;  south  in  winter  to  Guatemala. 


a  >-• 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  243 

Lincoln's  Sparrow  is  found  in  Pennsylvania  as  a  rather  rare  spring 
and  fall  migrant,  frequenting  shrubbery,  brush  piles,  and  weedy,  briery 
thickets  about  streams  and  in  swampy  grounds.  I  have  taken  four 
specimens  during  the  past  ten  years  in  eastern  Pennsylvania ;  two  early 
in  May,  one  late  in  September,  and  the  last  early  in  October.  Feeds 
on  seeds  and  different  kinds  of  insects.  It  is  a  quiet  and  secretive 
little  bird,  usually  seen  singly ;  only  occasionally  is  it  found  in  com- 
pany with  other  species  of  sparrows,  and  if  disturbed  it  seeks  safety 
by  hiding  in  the  thick  undergrowth  rather  than  by  flight. 

Melospiza  georgiana  (LA.TH.). 

Swamp  Sparrow. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Size  a  little  smaller  than  Song  Sparrow ;  crown  bright  chestnut ;  forehead  black  ; 
back  broadly  streaked  with  black,  and  most  feathers  of  back  edged  with  brownish  ; 
upper  surface  of  wings  and  tail  decidedly  rusty  ;  belly  white  ;  sides,  flanks  and  tibiae 
brownish;  chest  and  line  over  eye  grayish;  the  lower  anterior  parts  are  usually 
without  streaks  or  spots ;  throat  whitish  with  sometimes  indistinct  blackish  streaks. 

Habitat.— Eastern  North  America  to  the  plains,  accidentally  to  Utah,  north  to 
British  provinces,  including  Newfoundland  and  Labrador.  Breeds  from  Northern 
States  northward,  and  winters  in  the  Middle  States  and  southward. 

The  Swamp  Sparrow  is  retiring  in  its  habits,  and,  as  the  name  would 
indicate,  it  is  a  common  frequenter  of  grassy,  weedy  and  bushy  swamps ; 
it  is  also  often  found  about  the  edges  of  streams  and  ponds  where  weeds 
and  grasses  grow  in  abundance.  I  have  never  found  the  nest  of  this 
species,  but  from  reports  received  from  various  naturalists  and  collectors 
it  appears  that  it  breeds  sparingly  in  nearly  all  parts  of  the  state.  The 
Swamp  Sparrow  occurs  as  a  tolerably  frequent  winter  resident  in 
swampy  thickets  in  the  southern  counties  of  Pennsylvania.  The  nest 
and  eggs  of  this  bird,  as  described  by  different  writers,  are  very  similar 
to  those  of  the  Song  Sparrow.  The  food  is  similar  to  that  of  other 
birds  of  the  genus  Melospiza. 


GENUS  PASSERELLA  SWAINSON. 
Passerella  iliaca  (MERB.). 

Fox  Sparrow. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  31.    Fig.  «?.) 

Upper  mandible  dark,  lower  chiefly  yellow  ;  legs  brown.  Readily  distinguished 
by  its  rusty  red  or  ferruginous  colors,  brightest  on  the  wings,  rump  and  tail ;  below 
white ;  upper  part  of  breast,  sides  of  throat  and  body  with  triangular  rusty  spots, 
darkest  and  most  conspicuous  on  middle  of  upper  part  of  chest ;  tips  of  middlo  and 
greater  coverts  forming  two  whitish  wing  bars.  Length  about  7£  inches ;  extent 
about  11£. 

Habitat.— Eastern  North  America,  west  to  the  plains  and  Alaska  (valley  of  the 
Yukon  to  the  Pacific),  and  from  the  Arctic  coast  south  to  the  Gulf  States.  Breeds 
north  of  the  United  States  :-  winter.*  chiefly  south  of  the  Potomac  and  Ohio  rivers. 


244  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

The  summer  home  of  this  large  and  rusty-coated  sparrow  is  in  the 
dreary  wilds  of  British  America,  from  Labrador  to  Alaska.  Their  nests, 
we  are  reliably  informed,  have  never  been  obtained  in  the  United  States, 
where  these  birds  occur  only  during-  the  spring,  fall  and  winter  months. 
With  us  this  species  is  found  as  a  common  migrant  in  March,  April, 
October  and  November.  Occasionally  only  are  small  parties,  or  strag- 
gling birds,  met  with  during  mild  winters  in  our  southern  counties. 
While  sojourning  here  they  may  be  observed  in  flocks,  of  from  eight  to 
twenty  each,  inhabiting  humid  grounds  in  bushy  places  along  the  road- 
side, the  edges  of  woods,  banks  of  streams,  ponds,  etc.,  where  they  dili- 
gently ply  themselves  in  searching  among  the  fallen  leaves,  dead  wood 
and  decaying  grasses  for  seeds  and  insects. 


GENUS  PIPILO  VIEILLOT. 
Pipilo  erythrophthalmus  (LiNN.). 

Towhee;  Bush-bird. 


95). 

Bill  large  and  stout  ;  eyes  red  (adult)  and  yellowish  in  young  ;  bill  black  ;  legs 
brown. 

Male.  —  Belly,  lower  part  of  breast  and  patches  on  outer  three  or  four  pairs  of  tail 
feathers,  basal  portion  of  primaries  and  outer  webs  of  same,  white  ;  head,  neck,  chest, 
back  and  rest  of  tail  black;  sides,  flanks  sitid  crissum  chestnut  and  brownish.  Fe- 
male same  as  male  but  black  replaced  by  brown.  Length  about  8|  inches  ;  extent 
about  12  inches. 

Habitat.  —  Eastern  United  States  and  southern  Canada,  west  to  the  plains. 

Common  summer  resident  from  April  to  November  ;  rare  winter  resi- 
dent in  the  southern  counties,  where  a  few  individuals  are  occasionally 
seen.  This  somewhat  shy  and  retiring  bird  inhabits  thickets,  clearings 
and  woodland  undergrowth  ;  during  migrations  it  also  often  visits  lawns 
and  gardens  of  towns  and  villages.  When  migrating  southward  these 
birds  go  in  small  detached  flocks  ;  in  the  spring  they  come  singly  or  in 
pairs,  the  males  arriving  usually  a  few  days  in  advance  of  the  females. 
The  rather  bulky  nest,  made  up  of  leaves,  fine  twigs,  grasses,  etc.,  is 
generally  built  on  the  ground  in  a  grass  tuft  or  at  the  base  of  thick 
bushes,  and  so  artfully  is  it  hidden  that  it  can  oftentimes  only  be  dis- 
covered by  a  most  careful  search.  The  four  or  five  white  and  reddish 
spotted  eggs  measure  each  about  .95  by  .72  of  an  inch.  The  several 
terms,  Towhee,  Chewink,  Juree  and  Shewink,  by  which  this  bird  is 
known,  are  applied  in  imitation  of  its  sharp,  quick  and  rather  petulant 
cry.  From  its  terrestial  habits  and  conspicuous  chestnut-colored  sides, 
has  arisen  the  name  of  Ground  Eobin,  which,  although  much  less  appro- 
priate than  any  of  those  previously  mentioned,  is,  nevertheless,  the  one 
by  which  it  is  best  known  in  eastern  Pennsylvania.  The  Towhee,  an 
indefatigable  seed  and  insect  hunter,  spends  most  of  his  time  on  the 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  245 

ground,  in  thickets  and  brush  piles,  hunting-  among  the  withered  leaves 
and  dead  twigs.  Its  rustling  scratch  is  often  the  only  indication  one 
will  have  of  its  presence.  In  addition  to  various  small  seeds  and  insects, 
Chewinks  feed,  also,  more  or  less,  in  the  late  summer,  autumn  and  win- 
ter, on  different  kinds  of  small  fruits  and  berries.  Occasionally,  it  is 
said,  they  visit  potato  vines  and  other  plants  on  which  the  destructive 
Colorado  potato-beetle  feeds,  and  devour  many  of  these  troublesome 
"bugs." 


GENUS  CARDINALIS  BONAPARTE. 
Cardinalis  cardinalis  (LiNN.)- 

Cardinal;  Red-bird. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  34). 

Young.  —  Bill  blackish;  colors  duller;  otherwise  very  similar  to  adult  female. 
The  young  male  soon  attains  his  brightcoat.  Length  about  9  inches  ;  extent  about  12. 

Habitat.— Eastern  United  States,  north  to  New  Jersey  and  the  Ohio  valley  (cas- 
ually larther)  west  to  the  plains. 

The  Cardinal,  or  Winter  Bed-bird,  as  it  is  generally  called,  is  a  rather 
plentiful  resident  in  the  lower  half  of  Pennsylvania,  but  in  other  sections 
of  our  state  it  is  found  chiefly  as  a  rare  or  occasional  visitor.  The  showy 
dress,  the  fine  and  varied  vocal  powers  of  this  shy  and  vivacious  whistler, 
are  such  that  it  is  one  of  our  most  common  and  entertaining1  cage  birds. 
Although  usually  found  inhabiting  briery  thickets  and  wooded  districts 
in  the  vicinage  of  rivers,  ponds  and  swampy  localities,  these  birds, 
mostly  in  winter,  when  pressed  by  hunger,  and  also  occasionally  in  sum- 
mer, when  in  a  measure  they  lack  their  usual  vigilance  and  shyness, 
come  about  our  yards,  houses  and  barns  in  search  of  food,  or  to  cheer 
and  enliven  us  with  their  bright  presence  and  pleasing  notes.  In  the 
southern  states  and  elsewhere  where  Bed-birds  are  much  more  numerous 
than  in  Pennsylvania,  they  at  times  assemble  in  large  companies  during 
the  winter  in  swampy  thickets ;  in  midwinter,  with  us,  parties  of  a  dozen 
or  fifteen  individuals  are  sometimes  observed  in  similar  situations.  This 
species  is  generally  seen  in  pairs,  though  in  the  late  summer  and  fall 
the  adults  and  young  of  the  year  of  a  single  family  are  frequently  found 
together.  The  nest,  a  loosely-built  structure  composed  of  twigs,  weed 
stems,  fibers  of  grape-vine  bark,  grasses  or  other  vegetable  materials,  is 
built  in  bushes,  vines  and  low  trees.  I  have  never  found  a  nest  situated 
over  six  or  eight  feet  from  the  ground.  The  eggs,  two  to  four  in  num- 
ber (usually  three),  are  white  or  bluish-white,  spotted  with  different 
shades  of  brown.  They  measure  about  one  inch  in  length  by  three- 
fourths  of  an  inch  in  width.  Feeds  on  seeds  of  numerous  plants,  especiaUy 
those  of  rank  weeds  and  grasses ;  corn,  wheat,  rye  and  oats  are  also  eaten. 
They  feed  morp  or  less  on  insects,  chief  among  which  are  beetles,  grass- 


246  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

hoppers,  crickets,  ants,  flies  and  numerous  larval  forms.  Fruits  of  the 
cedar  and  mulberry  trees,  also  strawberries,  blackberries,  raspberries, 
wild  grapes  and  other  small  fruits  may  be  included  among-  their  favorite 
articles  of  diet.  This  bird,  with  its  large  and  powerful  bill,  operated  by 
strong  muscles  of  its  head,  can  readily  break  into  fragments  the  hard 
grains  of  maize,  as  well  as  the  large  seeds  of  different  kinds  on  which  it 
subsists.  Its  known  ability  in  this  particular  has  earned  for  it,  in  some 
places,  the  local  name  of  Bed  Corncracker. 


GENUS  HABIA  REICHENBAOH. 
Habia  ludoviciana 

Rose-breasted  Grosbeak;  Potato-bus  bird. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  35,  adults  and  young}. 

Length  about  8«inches  ;  extent  about  13  inches.  Young  males  in  late  summer  and 
fall  have  rose  and  red  markings  on  breast,  and  under  wing-coverts  more  or  less 
distinct.  The  female  has  lining  of  wings  and  axillaries  saffron  yellow. 

Habitat. — Eastern  United  States  and  southern  Canada,  west  to  the  eastern  border 
of  the  plains;  in  winter,  to  Cuba,  Central  America  and  northern  South  America. 

In  eastern  Pennsylvania  the  Eose-breasted  Grosbeak  is  found  as  a 
regular,  though  usually  not  a  common,  visitant  during  migrations  in  May 
and  September,  when  this  species  is  mostly  seen  in  small  parties  of 
from  five  to  a  dozen  each.  In  the  spring,  while  passing  northward  (they 
breed  for  the  most  part  north  of  Pennsylvania),  the  males  arrive  nearly 
a  week  in  advance  of  the  females,  but  in  the  fall  both  sexes,  according 
to  my  observation,  migrate  together.  Mr.  Benj.  M.  Ever  hart,  of  West 
Chester,  says  that  twenty-five  years  ago  this  species  was  a  rather  com- 
mon summer  resident  in  Chester  and  Delaware  counties,  where  he  has 
repeatedly  found  their  nests,  eggs  and  young.  In  both  of  these  districts 
the  Rose-breasts  are  now  rarely  found  in  the  summer  time.  Although 
these  bright-colored*  and  sweet-voiced  songsters  have  apparently 
abandoned  most  of  their  summering  resorts,  in  our  eastern  districts, 
many  of  their  number  find  a  congenial  summer  abode  in  the  western 
and  northwestern  parts  of  our  state,  particularly  in  Crawford  and  Erie 
counties,  where,  my  highly  esteemed  friend,  Mr.  Geo.  B.  Sennett,  assures 
me,  these  birds  are  regular  and  rather  plentiful  summer  residents,  nest- 
ing in  low  trees  and  bushes.  The  nest  is  a  thin,  flattened  structure,  made 
up  of  rootlets,  small  twigs  and  dried  grasses ;  the  dull  greenish-white 
eggs,  spotted  with  brown,  are  three  or  four  in  number  and  measured  about 
one  inch  by  three-fourths  of  an  inch.  These  birds,  while  sojourning  here, 
frequent  chiefly  groves  and  forests ;  apple  orchards  and  gardens  are  also 
sometimes  visited  by  them.  It  is  said  that  in  some  sections  of  Crawford 

*  Two  or  three  years  are,  it  Is  said,  required  before  the  males  acquire  their  full  beauty,  and  it  is  also 
stated  that  the  adult  males  in  the  late  summer  and  fall  lose  much  of  their  black  and  become  more  or  less 
streaked  with  brownish  tints. 


I 

-a 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  247 

county  where  this  species  resides  in  summer,  many  farmers  protect 
them  because  they  are  great  destroyers  of  "  potato  bugs."  A  gentle- 
man residing1, 1  think,  near  Meadville,  stated  at  a  recent  meeting-  of  our 
State  Board,  that  he  had  often  seen  these  birds  in  small  flocks  about  his 
potato  patch,  eagerly  devouring  large  numbers  of  these  vexatious  insects. 
Few,  if  any,  of  our  birds  are  known  to  feed  reg-ularly  on  the  Colorado 
potato-beetle,  and  as  the  Rose-breasted  Grosbeak  has  developed  a  taste 
in  this  direction,  it  should  justly  rank  as  one  of  the  best  feathered 
friends  of  the  farmer.  My  personal  knowledge  of  the  food-habits  of  this 
species  is  limited  to  examinations  made  in  May,  1882,  when  these  birds 
were,  to  my  great  surprise,  exceedingly  abundant  in  the  woods  through- 
out various  parts  of  Chester,  Lancaster,  Franklin,  Adams,  Delaware  and 
Philadelphia  counties.  All  the  birds  examined  by  me  were  shot  in 
woods,  feeding  mostly  on  hickory  and  beech  trees,  in  the  neighborhood 
of  West  Chester,  Penna.  May  11,  six  males,  on  hickory  trees,  food 
consisted  entirely  of  blossoms.  May  12,  thirteen  birds,  eight  males, 
three  on  hickory  trees,  others  on  beech  trees.  All  showed  blossoms ; 
two  contained  blossoms  of  the  hickory,  with  those  of  the  beech ;  the 
remainder  had  all  fed  on  beech  blossoms,  except  three  birds,  which  had 
in  their  gizzards  small  black  seeds  and  some  few  flat  grayish  seeds. 
May  13,  eleven  birds,  seven  males,  all  contained  blossoms  of  beech,  in 
addition  to  which,  two  males  revealed  remains  of  beetles  and  one  of 
them  had  also  eaten  a  few  flies.  May  15,  eleven  birds,  ten  males,  three 
taken  on  beech  and  maple  trees,  had  only  fed  on  blossoms ;  the  others 
were  found,  when  first  discovered,  feeding-  on  the  ground  in  the  woods ; 
the  stomach  of  one  contained  simply  fragments  of  a  beetle,  the  rest  had 
eaten  blossoms  and  small  seeds.  May  16,  three  males,  food  exclusively 
blossoms.  May  17,  four  birds,  three  females,  chiefly  blossoms  and  small 
seeds,  with  few  larvae,  and  fragments  of  beetles.  May  19,  two  birds ; 
male,  beech  blossoms ;  female  had  in  her  gizzard,  blossoms,  remains  of 
beetles  and  several  wasps.  May  20,  23  to  27,  inclusive,  eleven  birds, 
nine  females ;  two  males  taken  on  the  20th  had  fed  chiefly  on  beetles 
and  a  few  flat  cylindrical  seeds ;  the  remaining-  nine  specimens  were  shot 
on  various  dates,  the  last  being  taken  on  the  27th,  when  they  were  found 
to  be  very  scarce.  An  examination  of  their  viscera  showed  that  in  ad- 
dition to  blossoms  and  small  seeds,  they  all  had  fed  to  a  small  extent  on 
insects,  chiefly  beetles  and  flies. 

GENUS  GUIRACA  SWAINSON. 
Guiraca  caerulea  (LINN.). 

Blue  Grosbeak. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Bill  large  and  stout  like  other  Grosbeaks ;  bill  dark-bluish  black  ;  legs  and  feet 
similar;  male  blue  ;  brightest  on  head  and  darker  across  middle  of  back  ;  feathers 
about  base  of  bill,  lores,  wings  and  tail  blackish  ;  middle  and  greater  wing-coverts 


248  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

have  reddish-brown  tips.  Female  brownish-yellow,  below  rather  paler  than  above, 
wings  and  tail  dusky-brown,  with,  sometimes,  faint  traces  of  blue  ;  two  brownish- 
wing  bands.  Young  similar  to  female.  Length  about  7  5  ;  extent  about  11| ;  female 
smaller. 

Habitat.—  Southern  half  of  the  United  States,  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific, 
south  into  Mexico. 

The  Blue  Grosbeak  is  a  very  rare  and  occasional  summer  resident  in 
southern  counties  of  Pennsylvania.  About  five  years  ago,  May  10,  I 
captured  one  of  these  birds  in  the  lower  part  of  Chester  county  ;  it  is 
the  only  one  of  the  species  I  have  ever  seen  in  the  state.  The  Messrs. 
Baird  writing,  in  1844,  of  the  Blue  Grosbeak,  give  it  as  a  native  and  say : 
"A  few  seen  each  year  in  the  same  place"  (in  the  vicinity  of  Carlisle, 
Cumberland  county).  During  recent  years,  however,  according  to  the 
report  of  Mr.  T.  L.  Neff,  of  Carlisle,  this  species  has  not  been  observed. 
Dr.  Turnbull  (1869)  includes  it  in  his  list  of  rare  and  irregular  summer 
visitants  in  the  southern  counties  of  Pennsylvania.  Dr.  Spencer  Trotter  * 
mentions  the  capture  of  stragglers  in  Philadelphia  and  Delaware 
counties.  The  late  Judge  Libhart  recorded  it  as  a  "  very  rare "  visitor 
in  Lancaster  county,  where  Prof.  H.  J.  Eoddy  informs  me  it  has  in 
recent  years  been  found  as  a  casual  summer  resident.  In  the  summer 
of  1884  Mr.  W.  H.  Buller  captured  a  specimen  near  his  home  at  Marietta. 
Mr.  J.  F.  Kocher  writes  me  that  some  few  years  ago  he  found  a  nest  with 
eggs  of  this  species  in  Lehigh  county.  Dr.  John  W.  Detwiller,  who  has 
devoted  careful  study  to  our  feathered  fauna  for  the  past  twenty-five 
years,  shot  a  Blue  Grosbeak  in  the  spring  near  Easton,  Northampton 
county ;  it  is  the  only  one  he  ever  met  with  in  the  state.  Messrs.  George 
Miller  and  Casper  Loucks  have  observed  stragglers  of  this  species  in 
York  county.  "  Nest,  in  bushes,  vines  or  other  shrubbery,  sometimes  a 
low  tree,  of  grasses  and  rootlets  ;  eggs,  four  to  five,  averaging  .90  by  .65, 
palest-bluish,  normally  unspotted ;  quite  like  those  of  the  Indigo-bird, 
but  larger." — Coues. 

GENUS  PASSERINA  VIEILLOT. 
Passerina  cyanea  (LiNN.). 

Indigo  Bunting;  Green-bird;  Indigo-bird. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  36). 

Length  about  5g  inches  ;  extent  about  8g  inches. 

Habitat. — Eastern  United  States,  south  in  winter  to  Veragua. 

Very  abundant  from  May  to  October.  When  they  first  come,  and  also 
in  the  autumn  before  leaving,  these  birds  are  sometimes  seen  in  small 
flocks.  The  males  arrive  a  few  days  before  the  females,  and  in  small 
parties  often  visit  our  gardens  and  orchards,  where,  in  the  spring,  they 
are  frequently  to  be  observed  gleaning  insects,  or  devouring  the  apple- 

*  Bull.  Nutt.  Orn.  Club.  IV.  1879,  p.  235.  , 


Plate  61. 


1.  Purple  Grackle.       2.  Bronzed  Graokle. 

Mates. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  249 

tree  blossoms.  These  birds,  although  found  in  almost  every  locality, 
are  most  numerous  in  briery  thickets,  open  woodland  and  in  bushy 
places  along-  fences  and  roadways.  The  nest,  composed  of  leaves,  dried 
grasses,  etc  ,  is  built  in  low  bushes.  The  eggs  are  four  or  five,  bluish- 
white  and  unspotted ;  seldom  are  they  pure  white,  and  rarely  do  we  find 
them  spotted  or  thinly  dotted  with  reddish-brown,  but  whatever  may  be 
their  coloration,  they  measure  a  little  less  than  three-fourths  of  an  inch 
long,  and  a  trifle  over  one-half  inch  wide.  The  female  with  her  plain 
brown  dress,  not  unlike  some  members  of  the  hiiman  race  when  attired 
in  "  mother-hubbards "  and  calico  gowns,  always  shy  and  retiring — 
seems  ever  anxious  to  elude  observation.  The  male,  however,  in  his  at- 
tractive and  showy  garb  of  iridescent  blues,  seemingly  is  conscious  of 
his  beauty,  and  appears  eager  to  make  his  presence  known.  He  perches 
on  the  tops  of  high  bushes,  on  the  dead  twigs  and  limbs  of  tall  trees,  on 
the  telegraph  wires  and  fences,  to  sing  his  peculiarly  vigorous  and  rapid 
song.  The  sharp  tship  of  the  female  never,  however,  fails  to  quickly  call 
to  her  side,  this  vain,  noisy  yet  most  devoted  partner.  Indigo-birds 
feed  chiefly  on  different  kinds  of  small  seeds  ;  during  the  breeding  sea- 
son many  insects  are  eaten.  They  subsist  also  to  a  small  extent  on  apple 
and  some  few  other  blossoms ;  various  kinds  of  small  berries  are  not 
unpalatable  to  them. 

GENUS  SPIZA*  BONAPARTE. 
Spiza  ainericana  (GMEL.). 

Black-throated  Bunting ;  Dickcissel. 

DESCRIPTION. 

This  species  varies  considerably  in  its  markings  ;  bill  and  feet  grayish-black  ; 
length  about  6£  inches  ;  extent  about  11 ;  female  a  little  smaller  ;  upper  parts  ashy 
and  brownish,  the  most  conspicuous  on  middle  of  back,  where  and  also  on  the  scap- 
ulars there  are  black  streaks  ;  top  of  head  tinged  with  yellowish-green ;  line  over  eye, 
streak  from  mandible,  breast  and  middle  of  belly,  and  edge  of  wing  yellow  ;  rest  of 
lower  parts  white,  except  a  black  throat  patch  of  variable  size  ;  wing-coverts  bright 
chestnut ;  female  similar  but  duller,  and  black  throat  patch  usuallv  absent  or  indis- 
tinct 

*  Spiza  townsendii  (Aud. ). 

Townsend's  Bunting.  From  Dr.  Ezra  Michener's  Birds  of  Chester  county  published  in  1881.  I  take  the 
following  remarks  relative  to  this  species,  but  one  specimen  of  which  has  ever  been  taken,  and  it  is  now 
in  collection  of  the  Smithsonian  Institute  at  Washington.  D.  C:  "This  unique  bird  was  obtained  by 
my  excellent  friend,  whose  name  it  bears,  in  a  cedar  grove  near  my  dwelling,  while  assisting  me  in  col- 
lecting birds  in  the  spring  of  1833.  We  at  once  pronounced  it  new.  Audubon  did  the  same,  and  named 
and  published  it  in  both  of  his  large  works.  This  curious  bird  has  long  been  a  puzzle  to  ornithologists 
in  the  uncertainty  whether  it  is  only  a  variety  of  S.  americana  (Black- throated  Bunting)  or  a  distinct 
species.  Thus  far  (now  more  than  forty  years)  but  one  specimen  is  known,  kindly  presented  to  the 
thsonian  Institution  by  Dr.  Michener.  1  do  not  feel  able  to  decide  the  question  of  its  true  relation- 
ship to  the  S.  americana.  While  this  uncertainty  remains  it  seems  proper  that  Chester  county  should 
preserve  a  record  of  its  history  as  a  guide  to  future  observers. " 

Sp.  Ch.~ "Male.     Upper  parts,  head  and  neck  all  round,  sides  of  body  and  fore  part  of  breast,  slate 

;  the  back  and  upper  surface  ot  wings  tinged  with  yellowish-brown;  the  inter-scapular  region  streaked 

with  black.     A  superciliary  and  maxillary  line,  chin  and  throat,  and  central  line  of  under  parts  from  the 

breast  to  crlssum,  white;  the  edge  of  the  wing,  and  a  gloss  on  the  breast  and  middle  of  belly,  yellow.    A 

ack  spotted  line  from  the  lower  corner  of  the  ower  mandible  down  the  side  of  the  throat,  connecting 
with  a  crescent  of  streaks  in  the  upper  edge  of  the  slate  portion  of  the  breast.  Length  5}  inches-  alar  ex- 
tent 9;  wing3.8fi;  tail  2. 5ti  Inches."— S.  F.  Baird. 


250  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

Habitat.— Eastern  United  States  (chiefly  west  of  the  Alleghanies),  west  to  the 
Rooky  mountains,  north  to  Massachusetts,  New  York,  Wisconsin  and  Minnesota, 
and  south  in  winter  through  Central  America  to  northern  South  America. 

Tolerably  common  summer  resident  from  May  until  about  1st  of  Sep- 
tember in  some  sections  of  the  southeastern,  southern  and  western  coun- 
ties of  Pennsylvania ;  rare,  or  at  least  not  reported  to  occur,  in  the  north- 
ern counties  or  the  mountainous  regions  of  the  state.  The  nest,  of  weeds, 
grasses,  etc.,  is  usually  placed  near  the  ground  in  weeds  or  bushes ;  eggs, 
four  or  five  in  number,  are  pale  blue ;  they  measure  about  .80  by  .60. 
The  Dickcissel  feeds  on  seeds  and  sometimes  on  small  berries,  and  in 
the  summer  he  destroys  numerous  kinds  of  insects. 

FAMILY  TANAGRID-ffi.     TANAGEBS. 

GENUS  PIRANGA  VIEILLOT. 
Piranga  erythromelas  VIEILL. 

Scarlet  Tanager ;  Black-winged  Red-bird. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  <?7). 

Length  about  7£ ;  extent  about  12  ;  wing  about  3£  ;  tail  about  3  inches.  Bill  bluish 
or  brownish-yellow  ;  legs  and  feet  lead  color ;  iris  brown. 

Habitat.—  Eastern  United  States,  west  to  the  plains,  and  north  to  southern  Canada. 
In  winter  the  West  Indies,  Central  America  and  northern  South  America. 

The  Scarlet  Tanager,  one  of  the  most  brilliant  of  our  forest  birds,  is 
about  the  size  of  the  common  bluebird.  The  wings  and  tail  of  the  adult 
male  are  glossy  black;  body  and  other  parts  bright  scarlet.  The  female 
is  a  greenish-yellow  color,  with  wing  and  tail  feathers  dark  brown.  This 
description  applies  to  full  plumaged  adults  as  we  find  them  in  the  spring 
and  early  summer.  Both  sexes  are,  however,  subject  to  great  variations 
in  plumage,  and  particularly  is  this  variation  noticeable  in  the  male 
birds.  It  is  stated  that  in  the  autumn  the  male  loses  its  bright  feathers 
and  is  found  in  a  livery  similar  to  that  of  the  female.  "While  I  am  not 
prepared  to  say  that  such  a  transition  occurs  during  the  "  fall  molt,"  I 
am  inclined  to  believe  that  this  change  does  take  place.  During  the 
late  summer  months  and  early  autumn,  or  for  a  period  of  about  six  weeks 
before  the  tanagers  leave  Pennsylvania,  I  have  made  repeated  and 
most  diligent  search  to  find  adult  males  in  which  the  scarlet  feathers 
predominated,  as  is  invariably  the  case  with  the  males  in  spring,  but 
have  failed.  Although  it  is  true  I  have  seen  two  or  three  males  early  in 
August  with  a  few  scattered  feathers  or  "  patches "  of  scarlet,  I  have 
found  the  plumage  of  the  males,  late  in  August  and  in  September,  to  be 
the  same  as  that  of  the  females,  except  that  in  the  males  certain  of  the 
long  wing  and  tail  feathers  were  black.  The  presence  of  these  dark 
primaries  or  tail  feathers  will,  it  is  my  opinion,  with  rare  exceptions, 
enable  you  to  determine  the  sex.* 

*  The  only  proper  way  to  determine  the  sex  is  by  dissection.     This  Is  true  not  only  of  the  Tanager,  but 
all  other  birds. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


251 


This  species  arrives  in  Pennsylvania  sometimes,  though  rarely,  as 
early  as  the  last  week  in  April ;  usually  it  comes  about  May  9.  Tana- 
gers,  except  when  they  pay  occasional  visits  to  cherry  or  mulberry  trees, 
on  the  fruits  of  which  they  feed  to  a  limited  extent,  are  seldom  found 
away  from  favorite  retreats  in  the  forests.  The  forests  and  groves,  par- 
ticulary  oak  groves,  in  which  streams  of  water  are  found,  are  the  favorite 
resorts  of  this  species.  The  nest,  a  loosely  built  structure,  composed  of 
twigs,  roots  or  stems  of  various  weeds,  is  usually  placed  on  the  horizon- 
tal limb  of  a  small  tree,  preferably  beech  (Fagus),  about  ten  or  twenty 
feet  from  the  ground.  Eggs,  three  to  five,  mostly  four,  pale  greenish- 
blue,  spotted  with  different  shades  of  brown,  measure  about  .95  by  .65. 
While  the  nests  are  nearly  always  built  in  the  depths  of  the  woods,  I 
have  observed  they  frequently  are  seen  overhanging  a  cart-road  or  un- 
frequented path,  when  such  a  passage-way  exists  in  the  woods.  I  have 
often  discovered  the  nests  of  this  species,  and,  notwithstanding  the  fact 
that  neither  the  nests  or  contents  were  disturbed,  have  noticed  that  the 
birds  would  always  follow  me  to  the  edge  of  the  woods,  and  occasionally 
some  distance  beyond,  uttering  their  peculiar  chirp  clmrr.  When  tan- 
agers  thus  absent  themselves  from  the  nests,  it  not  unfrequently  hap- 
pens that  the  thieving  and  omnivorous  Blue  Jay  robs  them  of  their  con- 
tents. Mr.  B.  M.  Everhart  has  known  instances  where  the  jays,  after 
devouring  the  eggs  or  young  tanagers,  have  torn  up  the  nests. 

Tanagers,  during  the  summer  residence  with  us,  feed  principally  on 
various  forms  of  insects,  and  to  a  very  small  extent  on  fruits,  such  as 
cherries,  strawberries,  huckleberries,  etc. 

The  stomach  contents  of  twenty-nine  of  these  birds  are  given  in  the 
following  table : 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1 

May     6.  1880, 

Bast  Bradford,  Pa.  ,   . 

Beetles.* 

1 

May   17,  1880, 

East  Bradford,  Pa.  .   . 

Beetles.* 

3 

May   18,  1880, 

East  Bradford,  Pa.,   . 

.Beetles  (on  maple  tree). 

4 

May   19,  1880, 

East  Bradford.  Pa.. 

Beetles.* 

5 

Mav    19,  1880, 

East  Bradford,  Pa., 

Beetles.* 

6 

Sept.  15,  1880, 

West  Chester,  Pa.. 

Grasshoppers. 

7 

May   20,  1882, 

East  Bradford,  Pa., 

Beetles  and  spiders.* 

8 

May  20.  1882, 

East  Bradford,  Pa., 

Beetles  and  spiders.* 

9 

May  20,  1882, 

East  Bradford,  Pa., 

Beetles  and  flies.* 

10 

May  20.  1882, 

East  Bradford,  Pa.. 

Beetles  and  spiders.* 

11 

Mav   20.  1882, 

East  Bradford,  Pa., 

Beetles  and  flies.* 

11 

13 

May   12,  1883, 
May   12.  1883, 

East  Bradford,  Pa., 
East  Bradford,  Pa.,   . 

Few  flies  and  small  worms  (taken  on  cherry  tree). 
Beetles  (taken  on  maple  tree). 

14 
15 
16 

May    14,  1883, 
May   14,  1883, 
May   14,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa. 
Chester  county.  Pa. 
Chester  county.  Pa. 

Beetles,  flies  and  few  small  green  worms  (on  oak  tree.  ) 
Beetles  chiefly,  with  traces  of  other  insects.  * 
Beetles.* 

17 

May  14,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa. 

Beetles.* 

18 

May   14.  1883. 

Chester  county.  Pa. 

Beetles.* 

19 
20 

May  25.  1883, 
May   25.  1883. 

WestGoshen.  Pa.,  .  . 
Willistown,  Pa.,  .  . 

Black  beetles  and  other  insects  (taken  on  walnut  tree). 
Files  and  beetles.* 

21 

May  25,  1883, 

Willistown.  Pa  

Files  and  beetles.* 

22 

May     7.   |ss;{. 

Chester  county,  Pa., 

Beetles  and  flies. 

23 
24 
25 
2« 

May     7,  1883, 
June    4,  1884. 
June    4.  1884, 
June  14.  1884. 

Chester  county,  Pa. 
Chester  county.  Pa.  , 
Chester  county,  Pa., 
Chester  countv.  Pa.. 

Beetles  and  flies. 
Beetles  and  other  insects. 
Unrecognizable  insect  mass. 
Cherries. 

27 

28 
29 

June  14.  1884, 
June  17,  1884, 
June  17,  1884, 

Chester  county,  Pa.  . 
Chester  county,  Pa., 
Chester  county,  Pa., 

1  Cherries. 
Beetles,  flies  and  butterfly. 
Beetles  and  other  insects. 

*  All  taken  on  hickory  trees 


252  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

May  18,  1882,  I  shot  seven  adult  males  feeding-  in  oak  (Quercus)  and 
hickory  (Gary a)  trees,  and  found  all  to  have  fed  exclusively  on  coleop- 
terous insects  (beetles).  On  May  13,  1883,  I  killed  thirteen  tanagers, 
twelve  being  adult  males,  in  a  large  woods  on  the  property  of  William 
Williams  Jr.,  Willistown,  Pa.  The  birds  were  all  shot  in  the  forenoon 
and  while  feeding  in  the  maple  (Acer)  and  hickory  (Car yd)  trees.  An 
examination  of  the  stomachs  of  this  series  of  birds,  made  by  myself  and 
Mr.  Williams,  showed  that  black-colored  beetles  and  no  other  food  had 
been  taken. 


Piranga  rubra  (LINN.). 

Summer  Tanager. 


DESCRIPTION. 


Is  a  trifle  larger  than  the  Scarlet  Tanager.  The  adult  male  is  a  "  rose-red  "  or  ver- 
milion color  ;  wings  and  tail  feathers  are  same  color  as  body  (unexposed  portions 
of  wing  feathers,  also  ends  of  primaries  and  secondaries,  dusky);  adult  female  is 
greenish  or  brownish-olive  above,  lower  parts  lighter.  This  bird,  like  the  Scarlet 
Tanager,  is  subject  to  great  variations  in  plumage. 

Habitat. — Eastern  United  States,  north  regularly  to  southern  New  Jersey,  Ohio, 
Illinois,  etc.,  casually  north  to  Connecticut  and  Ontario,  etc.,  and  accidentally  to 
IS  ova  Scotia.  In  winter  south  to  Cuba,  Central  America,  etc. 

The  Summer  Tanager  is  a  very  rare  and  irregular  summer  visitor  in 
Pennsylvania.  May  25,  1876,  I  saw  a  pair  of  these  birds,  and  October 
10,  1889,  I  saw  a  female,  all  in  West  Chester.  Early  in  April  these  tan- 
agers arrive  in  Florida  from  their  wintering  resorts  in  the  tropics. 
Food  similar  to  that  of  the  Scarlet  Tanager. 


FAMILY  HIRUNDINIDJB.  SWALLOWS. 

THE  SWALLOWS. 

Swallows  feed  exclusively*  on  insects.  They  consume  myriads  of  flies  which  so 
pester  our  horses  and  cattle,  or  sorely  vex  the  tidy  housewife.  They  have  a  lively 
and  not  unmusical  twitter,  but  no  song.  Swallows  are  remarkable  for  their  socia- 
bility at  all  times  ;  they  migrate  in  flocks,  sometimes  numbering  thousands,  and 
nest  together  often  in  large  companies.  Living  as  they  do  almost  constantly  on  the 
wing,  they  visit  nearly  every  locality,  generally,  however,  when  feeding  and  mi- 
grating, they  frequent  mostly  ponds,  rivers,  streams  and  watery  places  in  fields  and 
meadows,  where  various  kinds  of  winged  insects  are  so  plentiful.  They  frequently 
are  seen  to  stop  for  an  instant  to  drink  and  bathe  when  skimming  over  the  water's 
surface.  In  clear  weather  these  birds  often  ascend  to  high  elevations  in  the  air,  but 
in  dull  weather,  particularly  before  rains,  they  fly  low  and  sail  close  to  the  ground. 
With  the  exception  of  two  species,  all  our  swallows  lay  pure  white  and  unspotted 
eggs.  The  eggs  of  these  two  species,  the  Cliff  and  Barn  Swallows— are  white, 
speckled  or  spotted  with  reddish-brown,  and  so  alike  are  the  eggs  of  these  two  birds, 
that  they  cannot  with  absolute  certainty  be  distinguished  apart.  The  usual  comple- 
ment of  eggs  of  each  of  our  species  is  five,  sometimes  six,  but  very  seldom  do  we 

*  In  two  instances  I  have  found  in  the  stomachs  of  Tree  Swallows  a  few  seeds,  apparently  of  berries  : 
possibly  this  species  sometimes  feeds  on  small  fruits. 


I 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  253 

find  three  or  a  less  number  deposited  when  incubation  is  begun.  The  Purple  Martin 
builds  a  nest  of  hay,  straw,  leaves,  feathers,  etc.,  in  boxes  provided  for  them  about 
houses  and  buildings  ;  occasionally  with  us  this  species  breeds  in  holes  in  trees.  Its 
eggs  average  a  little  under  one  inch  in  length,  and  about  three-fourths  or  a  little  less 
in  width.  The  Barn  Swallow  nests  mostly  in  the  interior  of  barns,  where,  ori  a  beam 
or  rafter,  near  the  top  of  the  roof,  it  builds  a  large  bowl-shaped  nest  (not  covered 
over  the  top  as  is  the  Cliff  Swallow's)  of  mud,  grasses  and  feathers.  The  mud  used 
to  cover  the  exterior,  and  in  fact  make  up  the  greater  part  of  the  nest,  is  collected 
by  the  birds,  along  the  edges  of  streams,  ponds  and  in  muddy  places  in  fields  and 
roads,  and  conveyed  in  small  rounded  masses  on  the  top  of  the  upper  mandible. 
The  eggs  measure  about  .77  long  by  .55  of  an  inch  wide.  The  Cliff'  Swallow  with  us 
nests  under  the  eaves  of  barns  and  other  out-buildings.  It  never,  I  think,  in  this 
state  breeds  about  rocks  or  cliffs,  as  it  does  in  uninhabited  regions.  The  nest  is 
built  of  small  mud  pellets,  warmly  lined  with  feathers  or  other  soft  materials,  and 
in  this  region  is  hemispherical  in  shape,  with  a  small  hole  in  front  or  on  the  side,  or 
sometimes,  but  not  usually,  I  think,  retort-shaped  or  bottle-like  in  appearance,  with 
the  opening  built  out,  often  several  inches  from  the  body  of  the  nest.  The  eggs  are 
very  similar  in  size  to  the  those  of  the  Barn  Swallow,  from  which  they  are  said  to 
differ  in  being  less  elongated.  The  Bank  and  Rough-winged  Swallows  excavate 
holes  in  sand  banks,  along  streams,  deep  railroad  cuts,  wagon  roads,  etc.,  in  which 
they  build  loosely  made  nests  of  grasses  and  feathers.  The  Rough-winged,  with  us 
breeds  usually  in  the  interstices  of  stone  abutments  of  bridges  or  in  the  holes  of  old 
stone  barns  or  similar  structures.  The  eggs  of  this  last  named  species  are  possibly 
a  trifle  larger  than  those  of  the  Bank  Swallow,  which  measure  about  .70  long  and 
about  .50  of  an  inch  in  width.  The  Tree  Swallow  builds  in  holes  of  trees  and  stumps, 
or  in  bird  boxes.  The  nest  is  similar  to  those  made  by  Bank  and  Rough-winged 
Swallows.  Its  eggs  are  about  the  same  size  as  those  of  the  Rough-winged  species. 

"  Primaries  nine.  Bill  triangular,  depressed,  about  as  wide  at  base  as  long ;  the 
gape  twice  as  long  as  culmen,  reaching  to  about  opposite  the  eyes  ;  tomia  straight  or 
gently  curved  ;  no  obvious  rictal  bristles.  Tarsi  not  longer  than  the  lateral  toe  and 
claw.  Wings  long  and  pointed,  the  first  primary  equal  to  or  longer  than  second. 
Middle  tail  feathers  not  half  as  long  as  the  wing." 


GENUS  PROGNE  BOIE. 
Progne  subis  (LiNN.). 

Purple  Martin. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  58). 

Length  8 ;  extent  16  inches  ;  bill  black,  mouth  inside  yellow  ;  eyes  brown  ;  legs 
dark  brown  ;  closed  wings,  extend  beyond  the  tail  which  is  decidedly  forked. 

Adult  male.— Glossy  blue-black  ;  wings  and  tail  feathers  above  black,  more  or  less 
glossed  with  blue-black  ;  under  portions  of  wings  and  tail  feathers  dark-brown. 

Adult  female.— Dull-brown  above,  glossed  with  blue-black,  brightest  on  back  of 
head  and  middle  of  back  ;  loral  spaces  and  auricular  feathers  dark-brown  or  black ; 
forehead,  and  narrow  stripe  about  hind  neck,  grayish-white;  belly  and  under  tail- 
coverts  white  ;  rest  of  under  parts  dull  grayish-white,  darkest  on  the  sides. 

Young.— Botb  sexes  quite  similar  to  female,  though  the  males  are  mostly  darker. 
Immature  males,  wih  blue-black  feathers  singly  or  in  patches,  are  common.  About 
three  years,  it  is  believed,  are  required  for  the  male  to  attain  his  full  dress. 

Habitat.—  Temperate  North  America,  south  to  Mexico. 

Common  resident  from  early  in  April  to  about  the  middle  of  August; 
they  arrive  in  spring-,  singly,  in  pairs  or  small  flocks.  Late  in  August 


254  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

these  birds  collect  in  flocks  (numbering  sometimes  several  hundred  each), 
which  for  a  brief  period  linger  about  meadows  along  rivers  or  other 
large  bodies  of  water,  and  then  wend  their  way  southward.  Since  the 
advent  of  the  prolific  English  Sparrow,  martins  have  abandoned  many 
of  their  nesting-places  in  towns  and  cities.  Dr.  John  R.  Everhart,  of 
West  Chester,  Pa.,  appreciating  that. his  flock  of  chattering  martins  was 
rapidly  diminishing  before  the  advances  of  the  sparrows,  some  few  years 
ago  erected  in  his  yard  a  large  pole  with  cross-pieces,  from  which  were 
suspended,  by  brass  wire  chains,  each  about  eighteen  inches  long,  a 
number  of  boxes,  in  which  the  martins,  also  wrens  and  bluebirds,  nest 
without  any  trouble  from  their  common  feathered  enemy  The  sway- 
ing motion  of  these  pendant  boxes  appears  to  frighten  the  sparrows,  as 
not  one  has  ever  been  observed  to  alight  on  or  enter  them. 

"  The  martin  differs  from  all  the  rest  of  our  swallows  in  the  particular 
prey  which  he  selects.  Wasps,  bees,  beetles,  particularly  those  called 
by  boys  Goldsmiths,  seem  his  favorite  game.  I  have  taken  four  of  these 
large  beetles  from  the  stomach  of  a  Purple  Martin,  each  of  which  seemed 
entire,  and  even  unbruised." — Wilson. 


GENUS  PETROCHELIDON  CABANIS. 
Petrochelidon  lunifrons  (SAY.). 

Cliff  Swallow. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  54,  adults  and  nests). 

Length  about  5§ ;  extent  about  12  inches ;  tail  nearly  even  or  very  slightly  forked  ; 
bill  black  ;  legs  and  eyes  brown  ;  top  and  back  of  head,  back  and  a  spot  on  throat 
lust-ous  blue-black  ;  wings  and  tail  blackish,  slightly  glossed  ;  grayish- brown  band 
on  hind  neck  ;  forehead  white  or  light-brown  ;  chin,  throat  and  sides  of  head  dark 
chestnut,  rump  same,  but  lighter ;  breast  brownish-yellow,  whitening  on  the  belly. 
Sexes  similar ;  the  young,  although  generally  duller  in  colors,  greatly  resemble  the 
adults. 

Habitat. — North  America  at  large,  and  south  to  Brazil  and  Paraguay. 

Common  summer  resident;  generally  distributed  throughout  the 
state.  Breeds  mostly  in  colonies  of  from  twenty  to  forty  individuals ; 
sometimes,  however,  as  many  as  fifty  or  seventy-five  nests  are  found 
together.  Although  I  have  known  these  birds  to  breed,  for  three  con- 
secutive seasons,  under  the  eaves  of  long  sheds  in  a  cow-yard,  I  am  in- 
clined to  think  that  they  usually  breed  but  one  season  in  the  same  place. 
The  Cliff  Swallow  arrives  here  about  the  last  week  in  April  and  disap- 
pears early  in  September.  This  bird  when  flying  can  easily  be  dis- 
tinguished from  other  swallows  by  its  almost  even  tail  feathers  and  the 
conspicuous  rusty-colored  rump.  During  migrations  this  species  is 
found  in  greatest  numbers  in  the  vicinity  of  rivers,  ponds  and  lakes. 

I  am  indebted  to  Dr.  H.  D.  Moore,  of  Somerset  county,  for  the  follow- 
ing interesting  letter  relative  to  nest  building  of  the  Cliff  Swallow 


BIEDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  255 

(Petroclielidon  lunifrons)  in  Pennsylvania  in  December :  "  New  Lexing- 
ton, Pa.,  January  1,  1890.—  *  *  *  I  wrote  you  on  the  28th  ult.  that 
it  was  reported  to  me  that  the  Cliff  Swallows  were  building-  at  a  farmer's 
barn  some  six  miles  away.  I  investigated  the  matter  by  going-  there 
myself  to  see  if  the  report  was  correct.  I  saw  the  nest,  but  the  swallows 
had  gone  on  last  Saturday,  probably  driven  away  by  the  sparrows.  The 
farmer,  John  Shaff,  and  hi§  daughter  told  me  that  they  first  noticed  the 
birds  on  the  23d  of  December,  and  they  were  already  building.  They 
commenced  to  build  on1  the  foundations  of  old  nests.  They  had  one  nest 
completed  and  two  others  partly  done.  During  all  last  week  the  tem- 
perature never  ranged  below  40°  nor  above  .65°.  In  an  open  winter 
like  this  one  it  may  not  be  unusual,  in  some  parts  of  the  state,  for  swal- 
lows to  make  their  appearance  in  midwinter ;  but,  as  far  as  I  can  learn, 
they  were  never  seen  here  before  in  December.  *  *  *  I  have  often 
seen  nests  with  the  opening  from  three  to  five  inches  long.  Sometimes 
this  neck  is  fastened  to  the  ceiling  in  a  horizontal  line,  and  at  other  times 
it  is  curved  slightly  downward." 


GENUS  CHELIDON  FORSTER. 
Chelidon  erythrogaster  (BODD.). 

Barn  Swallow. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  54,  adults  and  nest). 

Length  about  6f  inches  ;  extent  about  12^  inches ;  bill  and  nails  black  ;  eyes  very 
dark  brown  ;  legs  and  feet  light  brown  ;  above  glossy  steel-blue,  with  concealed  white 
on  mid  die  of  back;  wings  and  tail  feathers  viewed  from  above  blackish,  glossed  with 
greenish  and  violet  hues ;  tail  very  deeply  forked  ;  inner  webs  of  all  tail  feathers,  ex- 
cept two  middle  ones,  have  showy  white  spots  ;  outer  tail  feathers  much  longer  and 
narrower  towards  the  ends  than  others ;  imperfect  steel-blue  color  on  upper  part  of 
breast ;  forehead,  chin,  throat  and  a  space  on  under  tail-coverts,  deep  chestnut ;  rest 
of  lower  parts  lighter  reddish-brown. 

Young.— Duller  and  paler  than  the  adults  ;  and  the  lateral  pair  of  tail  feathers  are 
also  much  shorter. 

Habitat.—  North  America  in  general,  from  the  Fur  countries  southward  to  the 
West  Indies,  Central  America  and  South  America. 

The  Barn  Swallow  is  so  named  because  it  usually  nests  in  barns.  This 
bird,  like  the  preceding  species,  arrives  here  late  in  April  and  departs 
about  September  1.  This  swallow,  either  when  at  rest  or  on  the  wing, 
may  be  recognized  by  its  deeply-forked  tail,  which,  if  viewed  from  below, 
shows  a  broad  white  band,  most  conspicuous  when  the  bird  is  flying. 


256  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


GENUS  TACHYCINETA  CABAIJSS. 
Tachycineta  bicolor  (VIEILL.). 

Tree  Swallow  ;  White-bellied  Swallow. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  38). 

Length  about  6  inches  ;  extent  about  13  inches  ;  tail  slightly  forked  ;  bill  black  ; 
legs  and  iris  brown  ;  lores  black;  above  glossy  metallic-green ;  wings  and  tail  black- 
ish, with  faint  greenish  gloss  ;  lower  parts  entirely  white. 

Young,  colors  are  duller  and  toes  somewhat  yellowish. 

Habitat.—  North  America  at  large,  from  the  Fur  countries  southward,  in  winter,  to 
the  West  Indies  and  Central  America. 

The  Tree  Swallow,  when  flying  or  at  rest,  can  easily  be  distinguished 
from  all  other  of  our  swallows  by  its  dark-colored  back  and  pure  white 
under  parts.  This  species  arrives  here  late  in  March  or  early  in  April, 
and  leaves  in  September.  Common  and  very  generally  distributed 
during-  migrations ;  as  a  summer  resident  seems  to  be  most  frequent 
about  rivers  and  other  large  bodies  of  water.  From  numerous  reports 
before  me  it  is  learned  that  this  swallow  breeds  more  or  less  regularly 
and  rather  sparingly  in  nearly  every  county  in  the  state.  Referring  to  this 
bird  in  Lycoming  county,  my  friend  Prof.  A.  Kock  writes  in  a  letter  of 
recent  date  substantially  as  follows :  It  used  to  breed  readily  in  boxes, 
but  not  since  the  sparrow  nuisance  has  been  introduced  from  England. 
Have  observed  the  female  Tree  Swallow  enter  the  dry  limbs  of  high  trees 
(buttonwood)  on  our  river  islands.  Think  we  have  more  some  years 
than  others. 


GENUS  CLIVICOLA  FORSTER. 
Clivicola  riparia  (LINN.). 

Bank  Swallow ;  Sand  Swallow. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  90}. 

Smallest  of  all  our  swallows;  length  about  5,  extent  about  12g  inches;  bill  black  ; 
legs  brownish  ;  iris  dark-brown  ;  tail  short  and  slightly  forked  ;  lower  part  of  tarsus 
feathered  behind  ;  above  grayish-brown ;  beneath  white,  with  a  broad  band  across 
the  breast,  same  color  as  on  back  ;  wings  and  tail  dark  brown. 

Habitat.— Northern  hemisphere ;  in  America,  south  to  the  West  Indies,  Central 
America  and  northern  South  America. 

Common  summer  resident  at  many  points  along  Delaware,  Susque- 
hanna  and  other  large  streams. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  257 

GENUS  STELGIDOPTERYX  BAIRD. 
Stelgidopteryx  serripennis  (AuD.). 

Rough -winged  Swallow. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Rather  larger  than  the  last ;  bill,  legs  and  eyes  same  color  as  the  Bank  Swallow  ; 
above  grayish-brown  ;  lower  parts  similar,  though  paler,  gradually  whitening  on 
the  belly ;  edge  of  first  primary  rough  to  the  touch,  by  the  outer  web  being  con- 
verted into  a  series  of  stiff  recurved  hooks.  The  design  of  this  peculiar  wing  struc- 
ture is  not  clearly  known.  It  has  been  suggested  that  these  hooks  "assist the  birds 
in  crawling  into  their  holes,  and  in  clinging  to  vertical  or  overhanging  surfaces."— 
Coues. 

Habitat.—  United  States  at  large  (in  the  Eastern  States  north  to  Connecticut),  south 
to  Guatemala. 

The  Bank  and  Bough-winged  Swallows  arrive  here  about  the  first 
week  in  April  and  remain  with  us  until  about  September  1.  Both  spe- 
cies frequent  the  same  localities,  being-  found  generally  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  rivers,  large  creeks  and  mill-dams.  These  birds  are  not  only 
alike  in  habit,  but  they  also  greatly  resemble  each  other  in  size  and 
colors.  The  Bank  Swallow  has  a  white  throat  and  a  dark  band  across 
the  breast.  The  Rough- winged  has  a  uniform  mouse-colored  throat  and 
breast.  These  throat  and  breast  markings  will  sometimes  enable  you 
to  recognize  the  birds  in  life.  Should  you,  however,  desire  to  positively 
determine  these  two  species,  my  advice  would  be,  take  your  gun  and 
shoot  them.  After  doing  this  you  will  know  the  Bank  Swallow  by  a 
tuft  of  feathers  on  the  tarsus,  near  the  insertion  of  the  hind  toe.  An 
adult  Rough-wing  (particularly  if  an  old  male)  has  the  first  wing  quills 
furnished  with  a  number  of  saw-like  hooks,  from  which  originate  the 
common  name,  likewise  the  technical  one,  serripennis,  but  as  the  imma- 
ture Rough-winged  Swallows  lack  these  curious  hooks,  look  at  their  legs— 
a  Rough-winged  Swallow  has  no  feathers  on  the  leg  just  above  the 
hind  toe. 

FAMILY  AMPELID-ffi.  WAXWINGS. 

THE  WAXWINGS.* 

Two  birds  of  this  family  are  found  in  Pennsylvania.  The  Cedar-bird  is  a  com- 
mon resident  and  occurs  in  all  parts  of  the  state,  but  the  Bohemian  Wax  wing  is  a  very 
rare  and  irregular  visitor  from  the  north,  and  is  usually  seen  here  only  in  exces- 
sively severe  winters.  Wax  wings  are  nearly  always  observed  in  flocks.  The  sexes 
are  alike  ;  the  tails  are  tipped  with  yellow.  The  wings  are  long  and  pointed  ;  first 
quill  very  short ;  second  and  third  longest ;  the  under  coverts  extend  almost  to  the 
end  of  the  even  tail ;  the  wings  and  tips  of  some  tail  feathers  in  many  individuals  are 
often  furnished  with  horny  appendages,  like  red  sealing  wax  ;  bill  broad,  short, 
wide  at  base,  notched  and  slightly  hooked  at  tip.  Feet  rather  small  and  weak  ; 
three  toes  in  front  and  one  behind. 

*  Dr.  Coues  (Birds  of  Colorado  Valley)  referring  to  the  '  •  sealing-wax  "  appendages  of  the  secondary 
quills  of  birds  of  this  genus,  says  they  •  •  have  been  subjected  to  chemical  and  microscopical  examination 
by  L.  Stieda,  and  shown  to  be  the  enlarged,  hardened  and  peculiarly  modified  prolongation  of  the  shaft 
itself  of  the  feather,  composed  of  central  and  peripheral  substances,  differing  in  the  shape  of  the  pigment 
cells,  which  contain  abundance  of  red  and  yellow  mlm-ing  matter. '' 

17  BIRDS. 


258  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


SUBFAMILY  AMPELIN^S.    WAXWINGS. 

GENUS  AMPELIS  LINNAEUS. 
Ampelis  garrulus  LINN. 

Bohemian  Waxwing. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Length  7£  inches ;  wing  4* ;  tail  2|.  Bill  (dried  skin)  bluish-black  ;  legs  black  ; 
general  color  ashy  or  grayish-brown,  palest  on  rump,  upper  tail-coverts,  breast  and 
abdomen  ;  forehead,  a  spot  at  base  of  lower  jaw,  and  under  tail-coverts  brownish  or 
chestnut ;  a  narrow  frontal  line,  chin  and  upper  part  of  throat,  and  a  showy  streak 
starting  in  front  and  extending  back  of  eye  and  meeting  its  fellow  of  opposite  side, 
black  ;  wings  and  tail  feathers  bluish-black  ;  the  tail  quite  blackish  immediately  in 
front  of  yellow  tip  ;  primary  coverts  and  outer  webs  of  secondaries  have  white  tips 
(and  in  specimen  before  me  also  red  wax-like  appendages),  outer  webs  of  several  pri- 
maries edged  with  white  and  yellow.  Head  with  a  conspicuous  crest;  feathers 
about  vent  white  ;  no  yellow  on  belly. 

Habitat.^ Northern  parts  of  the  Northern  Hemisphere.  In  North  America,  south 
in  winter,  irregularly,  to  the  northern  United  States. 

Very  rare  and  irregular  winter  vistor.  I  have  a  specimen  which  was 
captured  some  few  years  ago  (midwinter)  in  a  pine  forest  in  the  northern 
part  of  Elk  county,  where  a  flock  of  about  twenty,  it  is  stated,  were 
seen.  Stragglers  of  this  species  have  also  been  taken  at  irregular  in- 
tervals, during  the  past  twenty-five  years,  and  reported  to  me  by  the 
following  named  gentlemen:  Dr.  John  W.  Detwiller,  Northampton 
county  ;  Dr.  W.  Van  Fleet,  Clinton  county ;  R.  C.  "Wrenshall,  Allegheny 
county ;  H.  W.  Williams,  Lackawanna  county,  and  H.  J.  Eoddy,  Lan- 
caster county. 


Ampelis  cedrorum  (VIEILL.). 

Cedar  Waxwing  ;  Cedar-bird  ;  Cherry-bird  ;  Quaker-bird. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  39). 

Length  about  1{  inches ;  extent  about  12 ;  wing  under  4 ;  tail  2*  ;  head  crested ; 
general  color  reddish-brown,  deepest  towards  the  front;  rump  and  upper  tail-coverts 
ashy  ;  belly  yellow ;  under  tail-coverts  white,  and  line  of  same  on  side  of  lower  bill, 
between  black  of  chin  and  the  black  line  extending  from  behind  and  in  front  of 
eyes,  and  about  base  of  maxilla  ;  primaries  and  tail  grayish  lead  color  ;  tail  tipped 
with  yellow,  and  immediately  back  of  this  yellow  the  tail  is  almost  black  ;  the  outer 
webs  of  several  primaries  have  silvery  edgings  ;  no  white  or  yellow  spots  on  wings, 
but  secondaries  may  or  may  not  have  red  horny  ends  to  the  shafts. 

Young  duller  than  adults,  and  streaked  with  brownish,  especially  on  breast  and 
sides.  Bill  blue-black ;  legs  black  ;  iris  brown. 

Habitat. — North  America  at  large,  from  Fur  countries  southward.  In  winter 
south  to  Guatemala  and  the  West  Indies. 

The  Cedar  or  Cherry-bird,  as  this  species  is  best  known  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, is  an  abundant  .resident.  These  birds,  except  in  the  breeding 
time  (from  about  the  last  of  June  to  the  first  of  August),  are  always 


,-  B 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYL  VANIA.  259 

found  in  flocks,  which  in  many  sections  seem  most  numerous  in  May 
and  the  first  two  weeks  in  June.  The  somewhat  flat  and  rather  bulky 
nest,  composed  of  small  twigs,  roots,  grasses,  bits  of  string,  feathers  or 
other  soft  materials,  is  built  in  trees  in  groves  and  orchards,  particularly 
apple  orchards.  The  eggs,  usually  five  in  number,  are  dull  bluish-gray 
spotted  and  blotched  with  black  and  brownish.  They  measure  about 
.90  by  .65  of  an  inch.  Cedar-birds  fly  in  compact  flocks,  and  when  they 
alight  huddle  close  together  on  the  limbs  and  twigs.  They  apparently 
prefer  to  light  on  dead  branches  of  trees,  and  in  the  spring,  or  when  they 
visit  cherry  trees,  this  habit  is  frequently  taken  advantage  of  by  the 
observing  farmer,  who  fastens  to  a  long  pole  a  dead  branch,  with  numer- 
ous small  twigs,  and  fixes  it  in  the  fruit  tree  so  that  the  entire  branch 
will  project  above  the  tree  top,  then  stationing  himself  near  by  he  can 
shoot  the  birds  as  they  alight,  without  injuring,  with  shot,  the  tree  or  its 
ripening  fruit.  Some  few  years  ago  two  farmers,  residing  near  West 
Chester,  killed  one  day  in  this  manner  over  one  hundred  and  fifty  Cherry- 
birds,  shooting  from  seven  to  twenty  at  each  discharge.  These  birds, 
as  their  common  names  would  signify,  subsist  chiefly  on  a  fruit  and 
berry  diet ;  the  many  varieties  of  cultivated  cherries,  mulberries,  whor- 
tleberries, wild  grapes,  berries  of  the  gum,  cedar  and  mountain  ash,  also 
the  fruit  of  the  poke  plant,  are  its  favorite  food.  In  the  spring  they 
often  visit  orchards  and  gardens  to  feed  on  insects  or  devour  portions 
of  the  apple  blossoms.  Cherry-birds  are  very  expert  flycatchers  and 
they  also  destroy  great  numbers  of  caterpillars.  Nuttall  writing  of  this 
species  says  although  a  small  portion  of  the  gardener's  cherry  crop  is 
destroyed  "  they  fail  not  to  assist  in  ridding  his  trees  of  more  deadly 
enemies  which  infect  them,  and  the  small  caterpillars,  beetles  and  vari- 
ous insects^  now  constitute  their  only  food ;  and  for  hours  at  a  time  they 
may  be  seen  feeding  on  the  all-despoiling  canker-worms,  which  infest 
our  apple  trees  and  elms.  On  these  occasions,  silent  and  sedate,  after 
plentifully  feeding,  they  sit  dressing  their  feathers,  in  near  contact  on 
the  same  branch,  to  the  number  of  five  or  six ;  and,  as  the  season  of 
selective  attachment  approaches,  they  may  be  observed  pluming  each 
other,  and  caressing  with  the  most  gentle  fondness.  This  friendly  trait 
is  carried  so  far  that  an  eye-witness  assures  me  he  has  seen  one  among 
a  row  of  these  birds  seated  upon  a  branch  dart  after  an  insect  and  offer 
it  to  his  associate  when  caught,  who  very  disinterestedly  passed  it  to 
the  next;  and,  each  delicately  declining  the  offer,  the  morsel  has  pro- 
ceeded backwards  and  forwards  before  it  was  appropriated." 

FAMILY  LANIID-ffi.     SHRIKES. 
THE  SHRIKES. 

Two  species  and  one  geographical  "race  "  of  this  family  occur  in  Pennsylvania. 
The  Northern  Shrike,  although  recorded  by  Dr.  W.  P.  Turnbull  and  some  few  other 
observers  as  a  summer  resident  "on  the  mountain  ridges  of  the  Alleghanies,"  does 


260  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


not  I  am  quite  positive  ever  breed  within  our  limits.  It  is  found  as  a  breeder  in 
in  North  America  beyond  the  northern  United  States.  The  Shrike,  or  Butcher- 
bird as  it  is  usually  called,  which  breeds  here,  and  is  common,  especially  in  the 
northwestern  part  of  the  commonwealth,  is  the  Loggerhead,  that  in  many  instances 
I  have  found  is  mistaken  for  borealis.  The  Northern'  Shrike,  although  occurring 
more  or  less  regularly  in  all  parts  of  the  state  in  winter,  is  more  numerous  in  the 
northern  tier  of  counties,  and  in  the  mountainous  regions  than  elsewhere.  In 
Cameron,  Potter,  Elk  and  Susquehanna  counties,  this,  the  largest  Butcher-bird — H 
rather  plentiful  winter  visitor  about  orchards,  fence-rows  and  fields — is  termed 
by  many  "  Little  Gray  Hawk."  The  name  of  Butcher-bird  is  given  to  the  species 
because  of  the  curious  habit  they  have  of  impaling  their  prey  on  thorns  or  sharp- 
pointed  twigs.  They  subsist  mainly  on  large  insects  (beetles  and  grasshoppers), 
and  they  likewise  devour  small  birds — particularly  sparrows — mice  and  other 
small  mammals.  Butcher-birds  are  rather  stout,  heavy  and  hawk-like  in  appear- 
ance. While  it  is  true  that  they  kill  a  good  many  small  wild  birds,  and  even 
sometimes  boldly  attack  cage-birds,  they  merit  our  protection  as  their  dietary*  is 
mainly  made  up  of  noxious  insects  ;  and  the  Northern  Shrike,  which  devours  more 
small  birds  than  the  others,  kills  many  mice  as  well  as  insects,  and  he  also  preys 
considerably  on  English  Sparrows.  The  bulky  nest  is  generally  builtin  thorny  trees 
or  bushes ;  eggs  four  to  seven,  dull  white,  spotted  with  light  brown,  purplish  or 
olive.  The  eggs  of  ludovicianus  measure  .97  long  by  .72  wide,  those  of  the  variety 
excubitorides  are  about  the  same  size,  and  the  eggs  of  borealis  are  a  little  over  1  inch 
long  by  about  £  wide. 

"Bill  very  powerful,  strong,  and  much  compressed,  the  tip  abruptly  hooked, 
deeply  notched,  and  with  a  prominent  tooth  behind  the  notch  ;  both  mandibles  dis- 
tinctly notched,  the  upper  with  a  distinct  tooth  behind,  the  lower  with  the  point  bent 
up.  Tarsi  longer  than  the  middle  toe,  strongly  scutellate.  Primaries,  ten  ;  1st  pri- 
mary halt  the  2d,  or  shorter.  Wings  short,  rounded  ;  tail  long  and  much  graduated. 
Sides  of  tarsi  with  the  plates  divided  on  the  outside."  Bill  and  feet  bluish  black; 
eyes  dark  brown.  Sexes  are  alike  ;  the  bill  is  less  than  an  inch  long.  In  some  con- 
ditions of  plumage  it  is  impossible  to  distinguish  the  Loggerhead  from  the  White- 
rum  ped. 

GENUS  LANIUS  LINNAEUS. 
Lanius  borealis  VIEILL. 

Northern  Shrike  ;  Great  Northern  Shrike ;  Butcher-bird. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  96). 

Length  about  10g  inches  ;  extent  about  14  ;  tail  about4£  ;  wing4|  ;  tarsus  1 ;  above 
pale  bluish-gray,  whitening  on  upper  tail-coverts  and  scapulars,  and  some  specimens 
have  upper  parts  faintly  tinged  with  pale  rusty  ;  below  whitish  (sometimes  tinged 
with  pale  brown),  breast  and  sides  "waved"  with  dusky  or  grayish  lines  ;  lores  and 
a  broad  streak  back  of  eye  black  ;  wings  and  tail  blackish  ;  the  primaries  are  white 
from  base  to  about  half  their  length  ;  nearly  all  tail  feathers  have  white  tips  and 
outer  webs  of  lateral  ones  are  white. 

Habitat. — Northern  North  America,  south  in  the  winter  to  the  middle  portions  ot 
the  United  States  (Washington,  D.  C.,  Kentucky,  Kansas,  Colorado,  Arizona,  etc.). 

The  Northern  Shrike  is  more  common  in  the  upper  than  the  lower 
half  of  Pennsylvania,  where  it  is  as  a  winter  resident  from  November  to 
April,  frequenting  briery  thickets,  thorn  hedges  and  grassy  fields  near 

*  In  1885 1  collected  a  dozen  or  fifteen  Loggerhead  Shrikes  in  Florida,  and  two  of  them  were  stained 
about  the  lace,  with  what  appeared  to  be  juices  of  mulberries  or  other  soft  fruit ;  possibly  this  species 
feeds  sometimes  on  berries,  etc. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  261 

trees  and  bushes.  They  sometimes  visit  towns  and  prey  on  English 
Sparrows.  Shrikes  feed  chiefly  on  grasshoppers  and  beetles,  and  when 
these  are  not  easily  obtained  they  subsist  on  mice  and  small  birds.  The 
Northern  Shrike,  assassin-like,  will  conceal  himself  in  bushes  and  imi- 
tate the  cries  of  other  birds,  and  when  they  come  sufficiently  near  his 
ainbush  he  will,  to  their  great  consternation,  fly  into  their  midst  and 
seize  one  of  their  number. 

Lanius  ludovicianus  LINN. 

Loggerhead  Shrike ;  Butcher-bird. 

DESCRIPTION     (Plate  96}. 

Length  about  9  ;  extent  11^;  wing  4 ;  tail  4 ;  tarsus  1.03 ;  above  slate  colored  ;  scap- 
ulars, rump  and  upper  tail-coverts  lighter ;  below  white  ;  pale  grayish  on  sides  ; 
some  specimens  have  lower  parts  partly  waved  with  dusky  lines,  but  others,  especially 
full  plumaged  adults  lack  these  lines  ;  feathers  about  nostrils,  lores,  broad  streak 
back  of  eye,  and  below  the  eye  also,  bill  and  legs  (old  birds)  black  ;  wings  and  tail 
black  ;  tips  of  secondaries  and  basal  half  of  primaries  white  ;  and  tail  feathers  are 
marked  with  white  as  in  borealis.  The  young  and  immature  birds  differ  consider- 
ably from  the  adult  as  above  described,  but  they  have  a  sufficient  resemblance  to  be 
identified  by  comparison  with  plate  and  description. 

Habitat. — More  southern  portions  of  eastern  United  States  ;  north  regularly  to 
southern  Illinois,  central  Ohio,  northwestern  Pennsylvania,  etc.  In  eastern  and 
central  Pennsylvania  this  species  and  also  excubitorides  is  seldom  met  with. 

The  Loggerhead  Shrike  is  a  common  summer  resident  from  late  in 
April  until  about  the  middle  of  September,  in  Erie  and  Crawford  coun- 
ties. It  is  said  to  breed,  sometimes,  in  Lawrence  and  Mercer  counties  ; 
but  in  other  sections  of  the  state  this  bird,  and  also  the  White-rumped 
Shrike,  has  been  observed,  so  far  as  I  can  learn,  only  as  an  irregular 
visitor  during  migrations,  especially  in  the  fall.  The  following  remarks, 
with  relation  to  this  Butcher-bird,  as  it  is  called  in  the  Erie  region,  are 
taken  from  my  note  book :  "  Erie  city,  May  20,  1889.  To-day  Mr.  Geo. 
B.  Sennett  and  I  drove  out  about  three  miles  east  of  the  city  ;  on  the 
road  shot  three  adult  shrikes  (two  males  and  female),  and  secured  their 
nests  and  young.  Both  nests  were  built  in  thorn  trees  ;  one  nest  in  a 
field  near  the  edge  of  a  woods,  contained  four  young,  two  or  three  days 
old,  and  two  eggs.  This  nest  was  placed  eight  feet  from  the  ground, 
and  constructed  of  small  twigs,  dried  grasses,  and  plant  fibers  with  an 
abundance  of  feathers  and  cotton.  The  other  nest  was  situated  about 
four  and  a  half  feet  from  the  ground,  directly  over  a  cow-path  in  a 
meadow ;  it  had  evidently  been  disturbed  as  it  was  insecurely  placed, 
being  partly  turned  over.  This  nest,  containing  two  half  fledged  males, 
was  composed  almost  entirely  of  plant-fiber  and  chicken  feathers  ;  a  few 
small  twigs  only  being  on  the  outside  ;  measures  inside  of  cavity  four 
and  one-half  inches  wide  and  two  and  one-half  inches  in  depth." 

"  Erie,  May  21,  1889.  To-day  Mr.  Sennett  and  I  found  three  nests  of 
shrikes  east  of  the  city,  all  were  built  in  thorn  or  wild  crab  apple  trees 


262  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

along-  the  roadside,  and  were  from  ten  to  twelve  feet  above  the  ground. 
One  nest  contained  five  fresh  eggs  ;  parent  bird  setting  on  nest.  When 
I  was  securing  this  nest  and  eggs  the  old  birds  flew  near  me  uttering 
sharp,  rasping  cries.  The  notes  of  the  young  shrikes  are  not  unlike  the 
squeak  of  a  mouse.  Indeed,  my  friend  Mr.  Sennett,  yesterday  when  I 
was  killing  the  young  we  had  captured,  stepped  on  a  strap,  and  hearing 
the  squeaky  voices  of  the  birds  in  my  hand,  thought  at  first  that  he  had 
trod  on  a  mouse.  When  taking  the  nests  of  shrikes  which  contained 
young,  the  old  birds  were  quite  bold,  and  when  the  squeaky  cries  of  the 
young  were  heard,  they  flew  directly  at  my  head,  but  after  finding  it  im- 
possible to  drive  me  away  by  these  attacks  they  alighted  close  by,  and 
remained  silent  witnesses  to  the  despoliation  of  their  treasures,  which 
were  soon  secured  by  me,  and  then  both  the  old  birds  were  shot.  When 
feeding  these  birds  repair  to  fence-rows,  bushes  in  fields  and  along  the 
margins  of  woods  or  thickets ;  they  also  frequent  grass  fields  and  mead- 
ows and  perch  on  fences  or  tall  weeds,  and  they  likewise  visit  plowed 
grounds  in  quest  of  food.  They  sometimes  hover  over  their  prey  in  a 
manner  very  similar  to  the  Sparrow  Hawk  (Falco  sparverius).  The  race 
known  as  the  White-rumped  Shrike  (Lanius  ludovicianus  excubitorides, 
Swains.),  is  very  similar  to  the  Loggerhead,  from  which  it  differs  chiefly 
in  being  paler  above,  more  like  borealis,  and  with  whitish  rump  and 
upper  tail-coverts  ;  and  it  is  stated  that  the  wings,  tail  and  tarsus  average 
a  little  longer,  and  the  bill  a  trifle  smaller  than  in  the  Loggerhead. 


FAMILY  VIREONID-ffi.    VIREOS. 

THE  VIREOS  OR  GREENLETS. 

These  birds  frequent  chiefly  woods  and  thickets,  yet  some,  particularly  the  Red. 
eyed  and  Warbling,  are  common  during  migrations  about  yards  and  gardens  in 
towns.  Both  of  these  species  also  often  breed  in  the  trees  of  parks  and  gardens. 
The  Vireos  are  rather  plainly  attired,  and  were  it  not  for  their  delightful  and  musi- 
cal notes,  they  would  much  oftqner  escape  our  notice  than  they  do  ;  few  of  our  woods' 
birds  are  equal  to  them  as  songsters.  They  live  almost  constantly  in  the  leafy 
retreats  of  trees  and  shrubbery,  rarely,  if  ever,  do  they  rest  on  the  ground.  They 
subsist  almost  exclusively  on  insects,  chief  among  which  maybe  mentioned  flies, 
spiders,  beetles  and  various  larvae  ;  in  the  late  summer  and  autumn  some  species 
feed  to  a  small  extent  on  a  few  kinds  of  berries.  We  have  in  Pennsylvania  six 
species,  viz :  the  Red-eyed,  Warbling,  Blue-headed,  Yellow-throated,  White-eyed 
and  Philadelphia  Vireos,  and  all,  with  the  exception  of  the  Philadelphia  Vireo,  are 
common  as  summer  residents  or  spring  and  fall  migrants.  Their  beautiful  cup- 
shaped,  or  basket-like  and  pendulous  nests,  are  composed  of  pieces  of  bark,  lichens, 
rootlets,  fine  grass  stems,  bits  of  paper,  etc.,  and  suspended  from  forked  twigs. 
Vireos  nest  in  trees  and  bushes,  usually  in  groves  or  forests  ;  some  build  close  to  the 
ground  ;  others  erect  their  pensile  homes  on  the  highest  twigs  of  tall  forest  trees. 
Their  elongate-ovate  eggs,  commonly  live,  are  white,  thinly  speckled  or  dotted, 
usually  about  the  larger  end  with  black  or  brown.  They  measure  generally  a  little 
more  than  three- fourths  of  an  inch  long  by  half  an  inch  wide.  The  Red  and  White- 
eyed  Vireos  breed  abundantly  with  us,  and  in  a  large  proportion  of  their  nests, 
especially  in  nests  of  the  Red-eyed  species,  you  will  find  Cowbirds'  eggs  or  young. 


PLATE  64. 


Wild  Goose. 
Male. 


BIBDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  263 

The  Red-eyed,  Philadelphia  and  Warbling  Vireos  (subgenus  Vireosylva  Bonap.) 
have  no  wing  bands,  but  the  White-eyed,  Yellow-throated  and  Blue-headed  species 
(subgenus  Lanivireo  Bd. )  have  two  distinct  wing  bands  formed  by  white  tips  of 
middle  and  greater  coverts.  The  feathers  of  upper  parts  are  greenish-olive  of  differ- 
ent shades  ;  the  top  of  head  in  some  is  similar  to  the  back,  but  in  others  the  top  of 
head  is  more  or  less  plumbeous.  The  lower  parts  are  whitish  or  yellowish  or  both  ; 
eyes  brown,  except  in  the  Red  and  White-eyed  species,  and  even  the  young  of  these 
have  brownish  irides.  The  legs  and  feet  are  generally  dark  lead  color,  and  the  bills 
are  similar  but  paler  below.  The  sexes  are  alike,  and  the  young  are  not  very  ma- 
terially different ;  size  small,  the  white-eyed  (smallest)  is  about  4g  inches  long  and 
the  Red-eyed  (largest)  is  about  6^  inches  in  length.  The  short,  straight,  stout  and  com- 
pressed bill  has  a  slightly  curved  culmen,  and  it  is  notched  and  rather  abruptly 
hooked  at  tip.  Wings  pointed  or  rounded  (very  slightly)  and  equal  to  or  longer  than 
the  even  tail.  Primaries  10 :  the  first  much  the  smallest ;  third  or  fourth  quills  longest. 
Four  toes,  three  in  front  and  one  behind  ;  claws  much  curved  and  sharp ;  short  basal 
joint  of  middle  toe  wholly  adherent  to  both  outer  and  inner  toes;  tarsus  rather  slen- 
der and  longer  than  middle  toe  with  claw.  "  Next  after  the  Warblers,  the  Greenlets 
are  the  most  delightful  of  our  forest  birds,  though  their  charms  address  the  ear  and 
not  the  eye.  Clad  in  simple  tints  that  harmonize  with  the  verdure,  these  gentle 
songsters  warble  their  lays  unseen,  while  the  foliage  itself  seems  stirred  to  music. 
In  the  quaint  and  curious  ditty  of  the  White-eye— in  the  earnest,  voluble  strains  of 
the  Red-eye — in  the  tender  secret  that  the  Warbling  Vireo  confides  in  whispers  to 
the  passing  breeze — he  is  insensible  who  does  not  hear  the  echo  of  thoughts  he  never 
clothes  in  words." — Coues. 


GENUS  VIREO  VIEILLOT. 
Vireo  olivaceus  (LmN.). 

Red-eyed  Vireo. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  40}. 

Largest  of  the  genus.  Length  about  6£  ;  extent  about  10£  inches ;  bill  blackish 
above,  below  bluish-white ;  feet  and  legs  lead  color ;  iris  red ;  back,  rump,  upper 
parts  of  wing  and  tail  feathers  olive-green  ;  sides  of  head  and  neck  paler  ;  crown 
dark-ash,  edged  with  a  blackish  line  ;  a  well-defined  whitish  line  from  nostril  over 
the  eye  and  back  of  it;  a  dusky  stripe  through  the  eye  ;  under  parts  white,  shaded 
on  the  sides  and  tail-coverts  with  greenish-yellow,  brightest  on  the  under  wing- 
coverts  and  crissum.  Tail  and  wing  feathers  blackish,  edged  on  the  outside  with 
greenish-yellow,  with  whitish  on  inside. 

Young.—  Irides  plain  brown  or  reddish-brown  ;  ash  of  crown  less  distinct ;  grayish- 
yellow  rather  than  greenish  above,  but  the  sides,  under  wing  and  tail-coverts  are 
quite  brightly  colored. 

Habitat.— Eastern  North  America,  to  the  Rocky  mountains,  north  to  the  Arctic 
regions. 

The  Bed-eyed  Yireo  is  a  common  summer  resident  from  late  in  April 
to  the  last  of  September.  In  this  state  it  is  much  more  abundant  than 
any  other  of  the  Vireos.  In  summer  the  voice  of  this  agile,  fluent  and 
tireless  songster  is  heard  on  almost  every  hand  in  forests  and  groves. 
This  bird  is  a  most  devoted  foster-parent,  feeding  and  guarding  the 
clamorous  young  Cow-bird  with  the  same  care  and  solicitude  that  it  be- 
stows upon 'its  own  offspring.  Indeed,  sometimes  it  seems  that  they 
are  even  more  attentive  to  the  noisy,  red-mouthed  Cow-birds  than  they 
are  to  their  own  young.  The  Bed-eyed  Vireo,  like  others  of  the  family, 


264  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

subsists  chiefly  on  insects,  which  he  captures  on  the  wing,  or  secures 
while  gleaning  among  the  branches  and  leaves.  In  the  late  summer 
and  autumn  months  he  feeds,  more  or  less,  on  raspberries,  mulberries, 
pokeberries  and  wild  grapes.  His  white  shirt-front  is  often  soiled  with 
the  bright  juices  of  the  fruits  on  which  he  feeds. 

Vireo  philadelphicus  (CASS.). 

Philadelphia  Vireo. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Length  about  4.90 ;  extent  8|  ;  tail  2|  ;  wing  2jj ;  tarsus  about. 64 ;  bill,  along  culmen, 
.40.  Very  similar  to  gilvus,  but  bill  is  smaller  and  not  nearly  so  stout  as  in  latter 
bird ;  no  spurious  primary  as  in  gilvus  ;  chin  and  belly  white,  rest  of  lower  parts 
pale  sulphur-yellow,  brighest  on  throat  and  breast ;  above  dull  olive-green,  grayish- 
blue  on  crown  with  faint  greenish  tint ;  rump  brighter  than  back  ;  white  line  from 
base  of  maxilla  over  eye ;  indistinct  whitish  spot  below  eye ;  blackish  spot  in  front 
of  eye. 

Habitat. — Eastern  North  America,  breeding  chiefly  north  of  United  States  north 
to  Hudson's  Bay  ;  south,  in  winter,  to  Costa  Rica. 

The  Philadelphia  Yireo  is  a  regular  but  rather  rare  spring  and  fall 
migrant,  arriving  here  late  in  April  or  early  in  May,  and  after  the  20th 
of  May  it  is  seldom  seen  in  Pennsylvania  until  it  migrates  southward  in 
September.  Prof.  August  Kock,  of  Williamsport,  informs  me  that  he 
is  under  the  impression  that  this  bird  breeds  occasionally  in  the  mount- 
ainous regions  of  Lycoming  county ;  and  Mr.  T.  L.  Neff  gives  it  in  his 
list  as  a  probable  breeder  in  Cumberland  county.  This  bird  is  found 
generally  in  woods  about  the  borders  of  streams.  The  Philadelphia 
Vireo,  although  similar  to  the  Warbling,  can  be  recognized  from  the 
latter  by  its  usually  brighter  under  parts,  and  although  it  has  a  resem- 
blance to  the  White-eyed  species,  it  has  not,  like  the  last  named,  whitish 
wing  bars.  Its  song  is  very  much  the  same  as  that  of  olivaceus. 


Vireo  gilvus  (VIEILL.). 

Warbling  Vireo. 


DESCRIPTION. 


Length  about  5£ ;  extent  about  9 ;  wing  2?  ;  tail  2.20 ;  tarsus  .69 ;  bill  stout,  very 
much  like  a  Red-eyed  Vireo,  and  from  back  part  of  nostril  to  end  along  culmen 
about  .50  ;  similar  in  color  to  philadelphicus,  but  upper  parts  are  more  grayish  and 
paler  ;  general  color  of  lower  parts  white  ;  sides,  flanks  and  under  tail-coverts,  and 
part  of  breast  tinged  with  pale-yellow  ;  the  spurious  first  quill  measures  about  five- 
eighths  of  an  inch  in  length. 

Habitat. — North  America  in  general,  from  the  Fur  countries  to  Mexico. 

The  Warbling  Vireo  is  found  in  Pennsylvania  as  a  common  summer 
resident  from  the  last  week  in  April  until  late  in  September ;  in  the 
southern  part  of  the  state  I  have  taken  specimens  as  late  as  October  10. 
This  delightful  songster  is  rarely  seen  or  heard  in  the  depths  of  the 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  265 

forest,  but  in  groves,  along-  the  borders  of  streams,  in  orchards,  parks 
and  gardens  he  is  common.  Its  nest  is  usually  built  at  a  considerable 
height  in  trees. 

Vireo  flavifrons  VIEILL. 

Yellow-throated  Vireo. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  19). 

Length  about  5|  ;  extent  about  9£  ;  wing  3  ;  tail  2^;  bill  about  .50  long  and  rather 
stout.  Dusky  spot  in  front  of  eye,  a  yellowish  loral  streak  ;  ring  around  eye,  chin, 
throat  and  breast  bright  yellow ;  top  of  head,  back  and  sides  of  neck,  and  upper 
part  of  back  decided  olive-green  ;  tertials  edged  with  white ;  lower  parts  of  back, 
rump,  tail-coverts  (above)  and  lesser  wing-coverts  ashy  ;  belly  to  end  of  lower  tail- 
coverts  pure  white  ;  sides  a  little  grayish  ;  no  spurious  quill ;  first  and  fourth  quills 
equal  in  length. 

Habitat.—  Eastern  United  States,  south  in  winter  to  Costa  Rica. 

This  species  is  most  common  as  a  spring  and  fall  migrant,  arriving 
here  late  in  April  and  departing  in  September.  It  breeds  sparingly  or 
irregularly  in  nearly  all  sections  of  the  state,  but  is,  apparently,  much 
more  frequently  met  with  in  the  mountainous  and  elevated  woodland 
regions,  particularly  in  the  northern  counties,  than  elsewhere  as  a  sum- 
mer resident.  During  migrations  I  have  observed  these  bright  yellow- 
throated  songsters,  which,  although  smaller,  resemble  somewhat  the 
noisy  Chat,  in  orchards,  in  trees  along  sidewalks  and  in  lawns.  Usually, 
however,  this  vireo  is  to  be  found  high  in  trees  of  forests  in  the  vicinity 
of  streams.  In  the  Eastern  states  this  species  is  said  to  build  in  orchards, 
about  buildings,  as  well  as  in  woodland.  In  Pennsylvania  the  Yellow- 
throated  Vireo  always,  I  have  found,  breeds  in  woods,  and  commonly 
builds  its  lichen-covered  abode  twenty -five,  thirty  or  forty  feet  above  the 
ground.  In  the  late  summer,  fall  and  winter  months  this  bird  feeds  fre- 
quently on  small  berries. 

Vireo  solitarius  (WiLS.). 

Blue-headed  Vireo. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Length  about  5^  inches  ;  extent  9  ;  wing  2.90  ;  tail  2±.  Top  of  head,  portion  of  neck 
behind,  and  sides  of  head  leaden-gray  ;  rest  of  upper  parts,  including  rump  and  tail- 
coverts,  olive-green  ;  edges  of  some  wing  feathers  and  lateral  tail  feathers  edged 
with  greenish-white  and  whitish  ;  below  white  ;  sides,  flanks  and  crissum  greenish- 
yellow  and  yellow,  the  latter  paler  on  axillars  and  about  crissum ;  spurious  quill 
well  developed,  being  about  one-third  as  long  as  second ;  white  ring  around  eye, 
whito  loral  line,  and  a  dusky  spot  below  the  latter. 

Habitat.— Eastern  United  States  to  the  plains.  In  winter  south  to  Mexico  and 
Guatemala. 

The  Blue-headed  Vireo,  like  the  species  last  described,  is  an  inhabitant 
of  woodland.  It  arrives  here  usually  a  few  days  before  the  Yellow- 


266  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

throated,  and  in  the  fall  is  seen  some  seasons  as  late  as  the  middle  of 
October.  I  have  usually  found  this  vireo  in  the  lower  branches  of  trees 
or  in  high  bushes.  Sometimes  this  bird  is  shy,  but  usually  it  can  be 
approached  without  any  trouble.  I  have  seen  these  birds  several  times 
in  the  summer  months  in  the  mountains  of  Blair,  Centre  and  Elk  coun- 
ties, but  never  found  nests.  My  friend,  Prof.  A.  Kock,  to  whom  I  am 
indebted  for  much  valuable  information  concerning-  our  feathered  fauna, 
says  it  is  a  common  breeder  in  Ly coming-  county.  Mr.  T.  L.  Neff,  Cum- 
berland county,  Prof.  H.  J.  Koddy,  Perry  county,  have  found  it  breed- 
ing, and  in  the  mountainous  regions  of  Lackawanna  county  Mr.  H.  W. 
Williams  has  observed  it  as  a  regular  summer  resident.  The  beautiful 
cup-shaped  nest  of  this  bird  is  suspended  from  a  forked  twig  "  in  under- 
growth or  lower  branches  of  small  trees  in  woods." 

Food  consists  chiefly  of  insects,  but  in  late  summer,  fall  and  winter 
small  berries  are  also  fed  upon. 

Vireo  noveboracensis    (GMEL.) 

White-eyed  Vireo. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Length  5  or  a  little  less  ;  extent  about  8  ;  wings  2|  or  a  little  less  ;  tail  about  2.  Spu- 
rious quill  well  developed,  about  half  as  long  as  the  second,  and  similar  to  it  also  in 
shape  ;  wings  rather  rounded  ;  a  yellow  stripe  from  base  of  maxilla  joins  yellow  ring 
around  eye,  in  front  of  which  is  a  dusky  spot ;  above  bright  olive-green  ;  the  hind 
neck  (posterior  half  of  head  also  in  some  specimens)  ashy  ;  throat,  upper  part  of 
breast  white  (grayish-white  in  some  specimens),  belly  white  and  under  tail-coverts 
white  with  yellow  tint ;  sides  and  axillars  bright  yellow  ;  eyes  white,  in  young 
brownish. 

Habitat.— Eastern  United  States,  west  to  the  Rocky  mountains,  south  in  winter 
to  Guatemala.  Resident  in  the  Bermudas. 

The  White-eyed  Vireo  is  a  common  summer  resident,  very  generally 
distributed,  in  suitable  localities,  throughout  the  state,  from  late  in 
April  until  sometimes  the  last  week  in  October.  The  other  species  of 
this  family  inhabit  chiefly  woodland  areas,  but  this  curious  white-eyed, 
inquisitive,  scolding,  unsuspicious,  shrill-voiced,  and  vehement  songster, 
resides  in  thickets  and  tangled  undergrowth,  along  the  edges  of  woods, 
etc.,  usually  in  the  vicinity  of  water.  In  different  sections  of  Pennsyl- 
vania where  green  briers  and  blackberry  bushes  abound,  there  you  will 
generally  find  the  White-eye.  This,  like  the  two  species  last  mentioned, 
is  a  familiar  winter  resident  in  Florida,  where  I  have  observed  them 
feeding  on  palmetto  berries,  mulberries  and  different  kinds  of  insects. 
When  in  Pennsylvania  the  White-eye  subsists  mainly  on  an  insect  diet, 
like  that  of  his  near  relatives,  and  in  the  summer  he  feeds  to  some  ex- 
tent on  blackberries,  raspberries,  etc.,  the  juices  of  which  often  stain 
the  feathers  around  the  bill.  The  swaying  nest,  quite  large  for  the  size 
of  its  irritable  owner,  is  hung  from  a  forked  twig  in  a  bush  or  tree,  and 
is  mostly  about  four,  six  or  eight  feet  from  the  ground. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  267 


FAMILY  MNIOTILTIDJE.     WOOD-WARBLERS. 

THE  WOOD-WARBLERS. 

Nearly  forty  species  and  subspecies  of  this  family  have  been  observed  during  recent 
years  in  Pennsylvania,  either  as  spring  and  fall  migrants,  summer  residents  or  strag- 
gling and  accidental  visitors.  Sometimes,  though  not  often,  duringmild  winters— gen- 
erally in  November  or  December— solitary  Myrtle,  Yellow  Palm  and  Pine  Warblers, 
particularly  the  Myrtle,  are  found  in  sheltered  localities  (to  the  southward)  mostly 
in  company  with  some  of  the  sparrow  tribe.  I  have,  on  two  occasions,  seen  Yellow- 
rumps  with  Chickadees,  and  once,  late  in  November,  I  shot  a  Pine  Warbler  in  a 
cedar  tree  where  a  small  flock  of  Waxwings  and  two  or  three  Robins  were  feeding. 
The  birds  of  this  group,  with  a  few  exceptions,  are  small — averaging  about  5  inches 
in  length  and  8  inches  in  extent — neat  and  trim  in  build,  active,  energetic  in  move- 
ment, and  entertaining  in  song.  They  have  brown  eyes,  and  their  slender,  naked 
tarsi,  in  species,  not  otherwise  particularized  in  the  descriptions,  are  brownish.  The 
usually  blackish,  and  in  most  species  slender,  tapering,  and  awl-like  bill  will  greatly 
aid  in  recognizing  a  warbler  from  members  of  the  following  families  :  Fringillidas 
(bill  conical,  commissure  more  or  lessangulated) ;  Vireonidce  (bill  distinctly  notched 
and  hooked);  Tanagridce  (bill  stout,  much  like  a  sparrow's,  with  lobe  and  tooth 
near  middle  of  commissure) ;  Hirundinidce  (bill  short,  broad,  flat  and  gape  reaching 
to  eyes).  The  Redstart  (&  ruticilla),  Hooded  (61  mitrata),  Canadian  (61  canaden- 
.«s),  and  Wilson's  (61  pusilla)  flycatching  warblers,  have  long  stiff  rictal  bristles 
and  wide  (at  base)  bills,  slightly  notched  and  somewhat  hooked  like  the  Tyrannidce. 
This  flycatcher-like  bill  is  most  perfect  in  the  Redstart ;  but  the  similarity  of  bills 
in  these  birds  need  give  the  beginner  no  concern  as  the  showy  dress  of  these  warb- 
lers is  greatly  different  from  that  of  the  Tyrannidce.  Less  than  a  dozen  species  of 
this  family  are  generally  dispersed  throughout  the  state  during  the  summer  season, 
but  in  some  localities,  particularly  in  the  timbered  and  higher  mountain  ranges, 
other  species  reside  and  rear  their  young,  often  in  such  secluded  places,  that  our 
most  enthusiastic,  tireless  and  successful  field-naturalists  have,  in  many  instances, 
failed  to  discover  the  nests.  From  repeated  visits  which  I  have  made  in  June,  July 
and  the  early  part  of  August,  to  the  pine,  hemlock  and  hard  wooded  forests,  or  in  ex- 
tensive laurel  thickets,  and  about  the  numerous  ravines  and  bushy,  swampy  places, 
along  the  sinuous,  placid  or  turbulent  streams  in  our  mountainous  regions.  I  am 
quite  confident  that  several  species  which  are  commonly  recorded  as  breeding  con- 
siderably north  of  the  Keystone  commonwealth,  breed  regularly,  though  sparingly, 
within  our  limits. 

The  following  list  on  the  next  four  pages  gives  names  of  species  which  are  posi- 
tively known  to  nest  in  Pennsylvania,  and  others  that  are  believed,  from  evidence 
which  is  deemed  sufficient,  to  breed  occasionally,  at  least,  within  our  borders. 

One  *  indicates  species  whose  nests,  eggs  or  young  (not  fully  grown)  have  been 
taken  by  the  author. 

Two**  indicate  species  which  have  been  seen  during  the  breeding  season  by  the 
author,  but  the  nests,  eggs  or  young  have  not  been  taken  by  him.  The  other  species 
included  in  the  list  are  mentioned  on  the  authority  of  different  observers,  to  whom 
credit  is  given  in  the  column  headed  "  Remarks." 

A  indicates  column  to  which  the  bird  belongs. 

The  fifth  column  contains  a  condensed  description  of  nesting  materials,  which  are 
generally  used,  the  sites  chosen,  etc. 

Descriptions  of  eggs  of  all  species,  and  nesting  materials  and  breeding  sites  of  those 
marked  (R)  have  been  compiled  from  Ridgway's  Manual  of  N.  A.  Birds. 


268 


OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


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In  southern  states  the  nest  is 
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darker  specks.  "—  (R.  ) 

The  nest  and  eggs  of  this  wa] 

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BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


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ulky  nest  (top  usually  covered  over  or  roofed)  ;  dead  leaves, 
rootlets,  dried  grasses,  etc.,  embedded  in  ground  on  hillside 
or  other  dry  places  in  woods.  Eggs,  four  to  six,  .80  by  .61, 
creamy-white,  spotted  with  reddish-brown. 

he  nest,  quite  similar  in  materials  used,  ts  placed  "  on  or  near 
ground  in  wet  woods  or  on  border  of  swamps;  open  above. 
Eggs  about  the  same  as  those  of  Oven-bird.  " 

est  a  bulky  structure  of  dried  leaves,  fine  rootlets,  grasses, 
etc..  carefully  hidden  in  crevices  among  roots  of  upturned 
trees,  old  logs,  stumps  or  mossy  banks—  always  in  moist  or 
swampy  woods.  Eggs,  .73  by  .59."  (Like  last  in  markings  and 
color.  )—  (R.  ) 

he  bulky  nest  of  dried  leaves,  fine  roots,  etc.  .  Is  built  on  ground 
in  woods.  Eggs,  four  to  five,  ".72  by  .56,  white  or  creamy- 
white,  speckled  or  spotted  with  brown,  reddish-brown,  and 
lilac-gray." 

reeds  in  woods  in  mountains.  The  nest,  which  is  said  to  be 
very  much  like  that  of  a  Maryland  Yellow-throat,  Is  built  "on 
or  near  the  ground.  Eggs,  .71  by  .53,  colored  like  those  of  G. 
formosa." 

est  rather  large,  of  dead  leaves,  grasses,  etc.,  on  or  near 
ground  (usually  in  low,  damp  places),  In  tufts  of  grass, 
among  weeds,  or  hidden  by  low  bushes,  in  which,  or  at  the 
base  of  the  latter,  it  is  often  placed.  Eggs,  usually  five,  .70 
by  .52,  white,  finely  speckled,  generally  about  larger  end,  with 
black  and  brown. 

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1  Nest  In  low  bushes  In  undergrowth  of  high,  damp  woods. 
Eggs,  three  to  four  .70  by  .53,  white  or  buff  y-  white,  speckled 
or  spotted  round  larger  end  with  reddish-brown  and  lilac- 
gray,  usually  mixed  with  a  few  black  specks  or  pen-lines."— 
(R.)  Nesting  materials,  leaves,  shreds  of  bark  and  scales  of 
beech  buds  woven  compactly  together  with  spiders'  webs  ; 
lined  sometimes  with  hair  and  grapevine  bark  libers—  (Davie). 

'  Nest  in  clumps  of  weeds  or  tussocks  of  grass  in  swampy 
woods.  Eggs,  three  to  five,  .68  by  .51,  colored  like  those  of 
S.  mitrata."—  (R.  )  Mr.  O.  Davie  says  the  nest  is  composed  of 
'  '  dry  weeds,  fine  roots,  with  a  lining  of  hair.  " 

up-shaped,  compact  nest  of  different  vegetable  fibres,  spiders' 
webs  and  horse-hair  in  a  fork  or  on  limb  of  small  tree,  usually 
eight  to  ten  feet  from  ground  Eggs,  four  or  five,  '  '  .  (53  by  48. 
white,  greenish,  or  grayish-white,  speckled  or  spotted,  chiefly 
around  larger  end,  with  brown  and  lilac." 

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272  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


When  migrating  the  males  come,  particularly  in  spring,  in  advance  of  the  females ; 
the  majority  migrate  at  night,  flying  usually  at  a  considerable  elevation.  Certain 
members  of  this  family  are  remarkable  for  the  melody  of  their  song,  many  species 
which  migrate  north,  penetrating,  as  some  do,  even  the  Arctic  solitudes  to  rear  their 
young,  are  said  to  possess  most  exquisite  vocal  powers. 

Although  several  species  are  ground  nesters,  and  live  chiefly  on  the  ground,  and 
some  others  construct  their  abodes  near  mother  earth,  on  which  they  often  are  seen, 
the  majority  of  this  family  inhabit  trees,  bushes  and  shrubbery.  Some,  especially 
most  species  of  Dendroica,  are  found  usually  in  trees  or  bushes,  and  seldom  do  they 
visit  terra  firma ;  and  certain  warblers  inhabit  almost  continually  the  leafy  branches  ot 
high  forest  trees,  where  they  actively  engage  in  the  pursuit  of  divers  forms  of  insect 
life. 

During  migrations  many  of  these  birds  are  common  visitors  to  the  orchards  and 
shade  trees  about  the  habitations  of  man.  The  Oven-bird,  one  of  our  most  common 
summer  birds,  in  hilly  and  dry  places  in  the  dusky  recesses  of  woods,  spends  most 
of  his  time  on  the  ground,  but  frequently,  when  disturbed,  and  often  when  singing, 
he  perches  on  the  low  limbs  of  trees  and  bushes.  The  Water  and  Louisiana  Thrushes, 
often  perch  on  low  limbs  and  twigs,  on  logs,  etc.,  but  they  are  mainly  terrestrial,  and 
may  be  looked  for  about  swamps,  pools  and  streams  in  dark  woods  and  thickets.  The 
Parula  Warbler  is  generally  seen  in  the  tops  of  high  forest  trees  during  migrations  ; 
and  the  Maryland  Yellow-throat,  a  common  frequenter  of  shrubbery  and  underbrush, 
frequently  is  found  in  company  with  other  warblers  in  orchards,  where  all  ren del- 
efficient  service.  The  Kentucky  Warbler,  which  could  readily  be  mistaken  for  the 
Maryland  Yellow- throat,  by  a  careless  observer,  I  have  never  seen  in  orchards,  and 
rarely,  if  ever,  is  it  observed  high  in  trees,  although  it  often  alights  in  low  bushes. 
The  favorite  abiding  place  of  the  Kentucky  is  in  swampy  thickets,  or  low  moist 
situations  in  woods.  He  especially  delights  to  hide  among  the  leaves  of  the  Skunk- 
cabbage  (Symplocarpus  foeditus).  The  loquacious  but  active  Yellow-breasted  Chat, 
an  inhabitant  of  briery  thickets  and  tangled  undergrowth,  often  repairs  to  high 
branches  of  trees  to  sing  his  loud  and  varied  song.  The  insect-like  song  of  the  Blue- 
winged  Warbler,  very  similar  to  the  notes  of  the  Grasshopper  Sparrow,  will  fre- 
quently enable  you  to  detect  its  source  in  the  top  of  a  sapling  or  high  bush,  of  a  thicket 
or  in  a  tree  along  the  edge  of  a  forest  or  in  open  woods.  The  Black  and  White  Warbler, 
like  a  Nuthatch  or  Brown  Creeper,  may  generally  be  seen  circling  round  the  trunks 
and  limbs  of  trees,  in  woods  and  swamps,  and  when  migrating  this  little  warbler  not 
unfrequently  visits  orchards,  trees  in  lawns,  gardens  and  parks.  Water  Thrushes, 
the  Palm,  Yellow  Palm  Warblers  and  Oven-bird,  by  their  peculiar  jerking  motions, 
often  remind  one  of  some  of  the  sandpipers  or  the  American  Pipit.  As  you  catch  a 
glimpse  of  the  Maryland  Yellow-throat,  and  hear  his  sharp  note,  as  he  vanishes  in 
the  thick  undergrowth,  you  are  reminded  of  certain  peculiarities  so  characteristic  of 
wrens.  The  Parula  and  Pine  Warblers,  are  often  seen  to  hang  downward,  like  the 
titmice  when  feeding,  and  the  ever  active  Redstart  in  some  ways  is  not  unlike  the 
Tyrant  Flycatchers. 

While  it  is  true  that  a  large  number  of  the  warblers  included  in  our  fauna  breed 
regularly,  in  suitable  localities,  in  some  portion  or  other  of  the  state,  the  members 
of  this  family  are  far  more  numerous  during  migrations  (usually  in  May  and  Sep. 
tember)  than  at  any  other  time ;  and  some  seasons  different  species  will  often  be 
noticed  to  be  much  more  plentiful  than  in  corresponding  seasons  in  other  years. 
Primaries  nine ;  wings  long  and  pointed,  and  longer  than  the  almost  even  tail,  except 
in  the  genera  Geothlypsis  and  Icteria.  The  Maryland  Yellow-throat,  Chat  and 
Mourning  Warbler  have  shortish  and  rounded  wings.  The  bill  is,  usually,  quite 
straight  and  acute,  and  shorter  than  the  head ;  in  many  of  these  birds  the  bill  is 
slightly  notched  toward  the  tip  but  not  hooked.  Some  have  prominent  rictal  bristles, 
others  have  none.  In  the  genus  Dendroica  the  conical  attenuated  bill,  compressed 
in  the  middle  and  distinctly  notched  near  the  end  is  furnished  with  short,  but  generally 
distinct,  bristles  at  base.  All  this  family  have  four  toes,  three  in  front,  one  behind  ; 
claws  small,  sharp  and  curved.  Referring  to  these  birds  Dr.  Coues  says:  "With 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  273 

tireless  industry  do  the  warblers  befriend  the  human  race ;  their  unconscious  zeal 
plays  due  part  in  the  nice  adjustment  of  nature's  forces,  helping  to  bring  about  that 
balance  of  vegetable  and  insect  life  without  which  agriculture  would  be  in  vain.  They 
visit  the  orchard  when  the  apple  and  pear,  the  plum,  peach  and  cherry  are  in  blos- 
som, seeming  to  revel  carelessly  amid  the  sweet-scented  and  delicately  tinted  blos- 
soms, but  never  faltering  in  their  good  work.  They  peer  into  the  crevices  of  the 
bark,  scrutinize  each  leaf,  and  explore  the  very  heart  of  the  buds,  to  detect,  drag 
forth,  and  destroy  those  tiny  creatures,  singly  insignificant,  collectively  a  scourge, 
which  prey -upon  the  hopes  of  the  fruit-grower,  and  which,  if  undisturbed,  would 
bring  his  care  to  nought."  Warblers  subsist  almost  exclusively  on  insects,  such  as 
flies,  beetles,  spiders,  grasshoppers,  plant-lice,  and  various  kinds  of  larvae. 

The  Myrtle,  Audubon's,  Tennessee,  Yellow  Palm  and  Pine  Warblers,  sometimes, 
though  rarely  in  this  region,  feed  on  small  fruits,  at  least  it  is  supposed  they  do,  from  * 
the  fact  that  I  have  found  in  the  stomachs  of  each  of  these  species,  which  were  hhot 
in  the  fall  or  winter  months,  small  seeds  of  fruits. 

GENUS  MNIOTILTA  VIEILLOT. 
Mniotilta  varia  (LiNN.). 

Black  and  White  Warbler ;  Black  and  White  Creeper. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  92). 

Bill  rather  long ;  maxilla  very  slightly  curved ;  very  short  rictal  bristles.  Black 
above  streaked  with  white  ;  below  whitish  streaked  with  black  or  dusky  ;  two  white 
wing  bars ;  two  pairs  outer  tail  feathers  with  white  spots  on  inner  webs  near  end. 
Length  about  b\ ;  extent  about  8^  inches. 

Habitat. — Eastern  United  States  to  the  plains,  north  to  Fort  Simpson,  south  in 
winter,  to  Central  America  and  the  West  Indies. 

The  Black  and  White  Warbler  arrives  in  Pennsylvania  about  the  last 
week  in  April  and  remains  sometimes  as  late  as  October  20.  Toler- 
ably common  and  generally  distributed  throughout  the  state  during 
migrations.  Breeds  quite  generally  throughout  the  commonwealth,  but 
in  summer  is  seldom  seen  anywhere  except  in  the  woodland  where  it 
rears  its  young.  The  nest,  usually  more  or  less  embedded  in  the  ground, 
is  mostly  so  carefully  hidden  by  dead  leaves  that  its  discovery  is  fre- 
quently only  made  accidentally.  Three  nests  which  I  have  found  have 
all  been  placed  on  hillsides  in  open  woods  near  water.  Two  of  these 
nests  had  been  visited  by  Cow-birds,  as  one  contained  two  foreign  eggs, 
and  the  other  had  a  young  Cow-bird  with  the  young  of  the  warblers. 
The  food  of  this  species  consists  chiefly  of  small  beetles,  spiders,  flies, 
larvae,  and  Mr.  Gentry  says,  earthworms  also  constitute  a  share  of  its  diet. 


GENUS  PROTONOTARIA  BAIBD. 
Protonotaria  citrea  (BODD.). 

Prothonotary  Warbler. 

DESCRIPTION. 

The  black  bill  is  long  (a  little  shorter  than  head),  sharp  and  distinctly  notched,  and 
without  bristles  ;  wings  long  and  pointed  ;  tail  nearly  even.     Head  and  under  parts 

18  BIRDS. 


274  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


yellow  ;  lower  tail-coverts,  lining  of  wings,  some  feathers  about  anus  and  inner  webs 
of  most  tail  feathers  white  ;  rest  of  upper  parts  generally  olive  green,  wings  and  tail 
lead  color.  Length  about  5£  ;  extent  about  9^. 

Habitat.— Eastern  United  States,  chiefly  southward  ;  in  winter,  Cuba  and  Central 
America. 

Yery  rare  and  irregular  visitor.  A  few  specimens,  probably  about  ten, 
have  been  captured  during-  the  last  twenty-five  years  in  the  southeastern 
part  of  the  state.  I  have  taken  two  specimens,  one  in  midsummer  the 
other  in  May,  in  Chester  county ;  a  few  individuals  have  been  taken  at 
irregular  intervals  either  in  spring,  summer  or  fall  in  Philadelphia  and 
Delaware  counties.  A  male  of  this  species,  in  the  museum  at  Lancaster 
city,  was  taken  some  years  ago  in  Lancaster  county,  in  the  summer. 


GENUS  HELMITHERUS  RAFINESQUE. 
Helmitherus  vermivorus  ((TMEL.). 

Worm-eating  Warbler. 

DESCRIPTION  {Plate  04). 

The  bill  nearly  as  long  as  head,  is  quite  large,  stout  and  sharp-pointed  ;  maxilla 
blackish-brown ;  lower  mandible,  also  legs  and  feet  much  lighter  in  color ;  the 
rictal  bristles  absent;  bill  unnotched.  Plumage  of  upper  parts  greenish-olive; 
head  has  seven  longitudinal  stripes,  to  wit :  two  black  on  crown,  divided  by  a 
brownish-yellow  mediam  stripe,  on  either  side  of  these  black  stripes  extending 
from  nostrils  back  over  and  beyond  are  brownish-yellow  stripes  (one  on  each  side) 
and  back  of  the  eye  is  a  black  stripe  (each  side)  alongside  of  crown  :  dusky  spot  in 
front  of  eye ;  upper  surface  of  wings  and  tail  olivaceous  ;  lower  surface  paler  ;  tail 
and  wings  unmarked ;  lower  parts  pale  brownish-yellow  or  buffy,  palest  on  chin 
and  middle  of  belly  ;  sides  very  similar  to  back  but  less  greenish.  Length  (male) 
about  5£;  extent  8J  ;  wing  about  3;  tail  about  2;  bill  a  little  over  .60;  tarsus  .70. 
The  female  is  usually  a  trifle  smaller. 

Habitat.— Eastern  United  States,  north  to  southern  New  York  and  southern  New 
England,  south  in  winter  to  Cuba  and  Central  America. 

The  Worm-eating"  Warbler  arrives  in  Pennsylvania  about  the  first 
week  in  May  and  remains  here  until  September.  I  once  captured  a 
specimen  in  Dauphin  county  on  the  15th  of  September,  and  another  in 
Franklin  county  on  the  20th  of  September,  but  usually  the  bird  is  sel- 
dom seen  here  after  the  first  of  the  month  named.  This  warbler  is 
generally  found  on  or  near  the  ground.  I  have  never  seen  one  high  in 
trees,  but  have  often  observed  them  in  bushes  or  on  the  lower  limbs  of 
trees.  I  believe  that  two  broods  are  frequently  reared  in  a  season  in 
this  locality.  During  its  residence  with  us  this  interesting  and  unsus- 
picious haunter  of  thickets  and  woods  is  very  generally  dispersed  through- 
out the  state,  but  in  no  section  of  the  commonwealth  does  it  occur  more 
plentifully  than  in  the  southeastern  counties,  especially  in  portions  of 
Chester  county,  where,  doubtless,  more  nests  and  eggs  have  been  taken 
by  Messrs.  Thomas  H.  Jackson,  Josiah  Hoopes  and  Samuel  B.  Ladd, 
all  of  West  Chester,  Penna.,  than  in  any  other  (perhaps  all  other  parts) 


Plate  67. 


L  Turkey  Vulture.  2,  3.  Cooper's 

2.  Adult;  3.  Young. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  275 


part  of  the  country.  The  first  authentic  account  which  we  had  of  the 
nest  and  eggs  of  this  species  was  published*  by  Mr.  Thomas  H.  Jack- 
son, of  West  Chester.  This  account,  with  a  few  additional  remarks, 
have  been  kindly  given  to  me  by  Mr.  Jackson,  and  are  as  follows : 

"  On  the  6th  of  June,  1869,  I  found  a  nest  of  this  species  containing 
five  egg's.  It  was  placed  in  a  hollow  on  the  ground  much  like  the  nest 
of  the  Oven-bird  (Seiurus  aurocapillus)  and  was  hidden  from  sight  by 
the  dry  leaves  that  lay  thickly  around.  The  nest  was  composed  exter- 
nally of  dead  leaves,  mostly  those  of  the  beech,  while  the  interior  was 
prettily  lined  with  the  fine  thread-like  stalks  of  the  hair-moss  (Poly- 
trichiwri).  Altogether  it  was  a  very  neat  structure,  and  looked  to  me  as 
though  the  owner  was  habitually  a  ground-nester.  The  eggs  most 
nearly  resemble  those  of  the  White-bellied  Nuthatch  (Sitta  carolinensis) 
though  the  markings  are  fewer  and  less  distinct.  So  closely  did  the 
female  set  that  I  captured  her  without  difficulty  by  placing  my  hat  over 
the  nest.  During  the  twenty  years  following  the  finding  of  this  nest  I 
have  probably  found  and  examined  fifty  others,  and  none  of  them  vary 
in  any  important  particulars  from  the  original  nest.  Every  one  has 
contained  the  hair-moss  lining,  though  the  eggs,  when  examined  in 
series,  show  a  wide  degree  of  variation." 

The  stomach  contents  of  fifteen  of  these  warblers  which  I  have  ex- 
amined consisted  chiefly  of  remains  of  beetles,  spiders  and  larvae. 

GENUS  HELMINTHOPHILA  f  RIDGWAY. 
Helminthophila  pinus  (LiNN.)- 

Blue-winged  Warbler ;  Blue-winged  Yellow  Warbler. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  19). 

Bill  and  legs  (dried  skins)  former  blue-black,  the  latter  dark- brownish.  Top  of 
head,  most  of  sides  of  same,  chin,  neck  in  front,  breast,  sides  and  belly  rich  yellow ; 
black  patch  in  front  of  eye  and  a  narrow  black  streak  behind  it ;  under  tail-coverts 
mostlv  white  ;  wings  have  two  white  (or  whitish  in  some  specimens)  bars.  Rest  of 
upper  parts  olive-green,  brightest  on  rump  ;  the  inner  webs  of  three  outer  tail 
feathers  are  more  or  less  extensively  marked  with  white  ;  the  general  color  of  upper 
surface  of  wings  and  tail  is  slate  or  pale  bluish-gray.  Female  and  young  very  simi- 
lar but  duller. 

Length  (male)  5  ;  extent  1\ ;  wing  2?  ;  tail  1.80. 

Habitat.— Eastern  United  States,  from  southern  New  York  and  southern  New 
England  southward.  In  winter,  Mexico  and  Guatemala. 

This  beautiful  little  warbler  usually  arrives  in  Pennsylvania  early  in 
May,  but  I  have  on  two  or  three  occasions  seen  individuals  in  Chester 
county  as  early  as  the  27th  of  April.  The  Blue-winged  Warbler  is  a 
common  summer  resident  in  southeastern  Pennsylvania,  where  it  re- 

»Am.  Nat.,  Vol.  3,  December,  1869.  p.  556. 

t  Birds  of  this  genus  have  elongated,  conical,  very  acute  and  unnotched  bills,  the  outlines  of  which  are 
nearly  straight:  no  rictal  bristles;  tail  nearly  even  or  slightly  emarglcate. 


276  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

mains  until  about  the  first  week  in  September.  It  appears  from  my 
own  observations,  as  well  as  from  the  reports  received  through  various 
observers,  that  this  species  is  quite  rare,  or  not  found  in  most  of  the 
northern  counties,  and  it  also  seems  to  be  unknown  in  the  higher  mount- 
ainous districts.  I  have  seen  or  heard  these  birds  during  the  summer 
months  in  Crawford,  Erie,  Mercer,  Lawrence,  Beaver  and  Washington 
counties,  where  I  have  no  doubt  they  breed  sparingly  at  least.  In  July, 
1889,  I  saw  two  with  young  in  Clarion  county,  along  the  Clarion  river. 
When  the  apple  and  pear  trees  are  in  blossom  these  yellow-vested  in- 
sect hunters,  singly,  or  in  pairs,  frequently  visit  orchards  and  gardens, 
but  at  other  times  they  rarely,  according  to  my  observation,  are  seen 
about  the  habitations  of  man.  They  prefer  to  dwell  in  sequestered 
thickets,  and  bushy  places  in  open  woodland,  and  commonly  their  sum- 
mer home  is  in  the  vicinity  of  a  swamp  or  near  a  stream.  Like  the 
Worm-eating  Warbler,  this  species  subsists,  to  a  considerable  extent,  on 
spiders,  larvae  and  beetles. 


Helminthophila  chrysoptera  (LraN.). 

Golden-winged  "Warbler. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Size  about  the  same  as  H.  pinus.  Female  very  similar  to  male  but  duller.  Bill 
(dried  skin)  black  ;  legs  dark  brown. 

Male. — Crown  and  large  wing  patch  (wing-bars)  golden-yellow;  rest  of  upper 
parts  slaty-blue  ;  below  white  or  whitish  ;  showy  stripe  on  side  of  head,  front  and 
back  of  eye,  and  patch  on  chin,  throat  and  fore  part  of  breast,  black — the  broad  eye- 
stripe  is  bordered  above  and  below  with  white ;  inner  webs  of  three  lateral  tail- 
feathers  mostly  white  ;  the  sides  of  body  are  pale  grayish  or  ashy. 

Habitat. — Eastern  United  States ;  Central  America  in  winter. 

The  Golden-winged  Warbler  arrives  in  Pennsylvania  late  in  April  or 
early  in  May  from  its  winter  home  in  the  tropics.  This  bird,  although 
a  regular  migrant  both  in  spring  and  fall,  is  one  of  the  group  which  is 
regarded  as  being  particularly  rare  and  desirable  to  the  collector.  I  am 
inclined  to  believe  that  this  warbler,  occasionally  at  least,  breeds  in  the 
western  part  of  our  state.  July  27,  1889,  I  saw  two  of  these  birds 
in  a  swampy  piece  of  woodland  along  the  Allegheny  river  in  Armstrong 
county,  and  on  the  30th  of  the  same  month  I  killed  a  male  feeding  on 
the  ground  in  a  bushy  thicket  along  the  Ohio  in  Beaver  county.  The 
late  Prof.  S.  F.  Baird  obtained  one  of  these  warblers  in  the  early  part  of 
July  in  the  vicinity  of  Carlisle,  Cumberland  county,  and  Mr.  Roddy  of 
Lancaster  county,  has,  he  informs  me,  observed  it  in  summer.  When 
migrating  the  Golden- wings,  like  many  others  of  the  family,  visit  or- 
chards, but  usually  these  warblers  are  to  be  found  ir  thickets  or  woods. 
Three  of  these  birds  which  I  have  examined  had  in  their  stomachs 
beetles,  spiders  and  larvae. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  277 


NOTE.— Dr.  Spencer  Trotter,  formerly  of  Philadelphia,  now  residing  at  Swarth- 
more  College,  Delaware  county,  mentions  (Bull.  Nutt.  Orn.  Club,  77, 1877,  pp.  79-80) 
the  capture  of  a  male  Brewster's  Warbler  (77.  leucobronchialis,  Brewst  )  by 
Christopher  D.  Wood,  "May  12,  1377,  in  an  apple  orchard  near  Clifton,  Delaware 
county."  Although  I  do  not  now  have  the  data  at  hand,  my  impression  is  thatsince 
the  date  above  mentioned  one  other  example  of  this  possibly  tenable  species  has 
been  captured  in  southeastern  Pennsylvania.  Personally,  I  am  unacquainted  with 
this  bird,  concerning  which  the  following  is  quoted  from  Dr.  Coues'  Key,  p.  293: 
"  Like  H.  chrysoptera  :  but  a  black  bar  through  the  eye  as  inpinus,  and  lacking  the 
black  breast  patch  of  chrysoptera,  the  entire  under  parts  being  white ;  thus 
chrysoptera  X pinus,  and  doubtless  a  hybrid  between  the  two,  thoueh  up  to  date  al 
dozen  or  more  specimens  have  been  described,  from  New  England,  New  York, 
Pennsylvania  and  Michigan." 


Helminthophila  ruflcapilla  (WiLs). 

Nashville  Warbler. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Length  4^  to  5  but  generally  less  than  5  ;  extent  about  7§  ^the  average  of  five  speci- 
mens in  flesh);  wing  a  little  less  than  2^  (six  specimens  average  2.37);  tail  little 
under  2  (about  1.90).  Bill  (dried  specimens)  brownish  (mandible  and  edges  of 
maxilla  paler);  tarsi  brownish  ;  feet  lighter.  No  wing-bars  or  no  white  patches  on 
tail  feathers ;  lores  yellowish  (sometimes  ashy  or  grayish)  but  not  black  ;  no  super- 
ciliary stripe,  but  a  conspicuous  yellowish-white  ring  around  eye.  Plumage  of 
upper  parts  olive-green,  brightest  on  rump ;  upper  surface  of  wings  (on  most  coverts 
and  edges  of  outer  webs)  and  outer  webs  of  tail  feathers  above  (especially  edges) 
similar  to  rump  but  a  little  paler ;  neck  behind,  sides  of  head,  sides  of  neck  and 
upper  part  of  back,  ashy-gray ;  top  of  head  similar,  but  the  ashy-gray  tips  of  feathers 
of  crown  when  pushed  aside  reveal  a  chestnut  patch.  Edge  of  wing,  chin,  throat, 
breast,  and  under  tail-coverts  yellow ;  belly  paler ;  sides  greenish-yellow. 

Habitat. — Eastern  North  America  to  the  plains,  north  to  the  Fur  Countries,  breed- 
ing from  the  northern  United  States  northward.  Mexico  in  winter. 

This  species  usually  is  first  seen  in  the  southern  part  of  Pennsylvania 
about  the  10th  of  May ;  often  in  orchards,  but  generally  about  bushes, 
thickets  or  in  open  woodland,  in  the  vicinity  of  streams  and  ponds. 
When  migrating  in  the  fall  the  Nashville  Warbler  is  found  here  from 
about  the  middle  of  September  until,  some  seasons,  as  late  as  the  middle 
of  October.  In  spring  I  have  mostly  observed  these  birds  singly  or  in 
pairs,  sometimes  in  company  with  other  species,  but  generally  by  them- 
selves. In  the  fall  they  are  usually  seen  in  small  parties,  and  are  then 
often  with  other  warblers.  Willow  trees  along  streams  and  on  the 
banks  of  ponds,  appear  to  be  their  favorite  feeding  resorts,  as  they 
leisurely  migrate  southward.  I  believe  this  species  breeds  sparingly  in 
our  higher  mountainous  regions.  Food  similar  to  that  of  other  species 
of  its  genus. 


278  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


Helminthophila  celata  (SAY.). 

Orange-crowned  Warbler. 

DESCRIPTION. 

"Above  grayish  olive-green,  rather  brighter  on  the  rump.  Beneath  entirely 
greenish  yellowish-white,  except  a  little  whitish  about  the  anus;  the  sides  tinged 
with  grayish-olivaceous.  A  concealed  patch  of  pale  orange-rufous  on  the  crown, 
hidden  by  grayish  tips  to  the  feathers.  Eyelids  and  an  obscure  superciliary  line 
yellowish-white,  a  dusky  streak  through  the  eye.  Inner  webs  of  tail  feathers  broadly 
edged  with  white. 

"Female  with  little  or  none  of  the  orange  on  crown,  and  the  white  edgings  to  inner 
webs  of  tail  feathers. 

"Young  lacking  the  orange  entirely,  and  with  two  fulvous-whitish  bands  on  the 
wings.  Length  4.70 ;  wing  2.25  ;  tail  2.00."*—  Hist.  N.  Am.  B. 

Habitat. — Eastern  North  America  (rare,  however,  in  the  northeastern  United 
States),  breeding  as  far  northward  as  the  Yukon  and  Mackenzie  river  districts,  and 
southward  through  the  Rocky  mountains,  and  wintering  in  the  south  Atlantic  and 
Gulf  States  and  Mexico. 

The  Orange-crowned  Warbler  occurs  in  Pennsylvania  as  a  very  rare 
and  irregular  straggler,  during  the  spring  and  fall  migrations.  A  fine 
male  was  shot  by  the  late  C.  D.  Wood,  November  2,  1867,  in  Bucks 
county.  Dr.  Spencer  Trotter  records  f  the  capture  of  a  specimen  in 
Philadelphia  county.  I  have  never  met  with  this  species. 


Helminthophila  peregrina  (WiLS.). 

Tennessee  Warbler. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Length  4.71  (average  of  four  adult  males);  extent  7^  (two  males);  wing  2.65 
(average  four  males);  tail  2  or  a  little  less.  The  female  is  a  trifle  smaller.  Bill 
(dried  specimens) -maxilla  blackish;  mandible  paler;  legs  blackish,  feet  brownish- 
yellow.  Upper  parts  olive-green,  brightest  on  rump ;  top  and  sides  of  head  and 
neck,  more  or  less  ash-gray  in  some  specimens ;  below  chiefly  white  ;  lores  dusky ; 
a  whitish  ring  around  eye,  and  a  line  of  same  above  it ;  outer  tail  feather  has  an 
obscure  white  spot  on  edge  of  inner  web  near  end.  Specimens  taken  in  the  fall  have 
most  of  ash-gray  of  head  and  neck  replaced  with  olive-green,  and  the  lower  parts, 
except  under  tail-coverts  and  patches  on  abdominal  region  which  are  white,  are 
greenish-yellow. 

Habitat.— Eastern  North  America,  breeding  from  northern  New  York  and 
northern  New  England  northward  to  Hudson's  Bay  territory  ;  Central  America  in 
winter. 

The  Tennessee  Warbler,  according  to  my  observation,  is  found  in 
eastern  Pennsylvania  as  a  very  rare  straggler  during  the  spring  migra- 
tion, but  in  the  autumn  (September)  it  is  often  common,  frequenting 
apple  orchards,  woods  and  thickets.  Although  sometimes  found  quite 
plentifully  as  an  autumnal  sojourner  in  the  eastern  portions  of  the  state, 
I  do  not  regard  it  as  a  regular  fall  migrant  east  of  our  principal  rnount- 

'*• 'Average  of  five  adult  males:  wing  2. 60;  tail  2. 04;  culmen  .41.     AveraRe  or'  two  adult  females:  wing 
2.34;  tail  1.98;  culmen  40. "— Ornithology  of  Illinois,  p.  129. 
t  Bull    Nut.  Orn.  Club.  Vol.  IV    1879.  p.  235. 


I 


I 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  279 


;iin  ranges,  as  some  seasons  none  of  this  species  are  to  be  observed. 
From  reports  received  from  observers  in  the  western  counties  of  Penn- 
sylvania beyond  the  Alleghanies,  i  find  that  the  Tennessee  Warbler  is 
mentioned  as  a  regular  migrant  both  in  the  spring  and  fall.  When 
found  here  these  warblers  are  seen  generally  in  flocks  and  are  often  in 
company  with  other  species.  In  addition  to  feeding  011  different  forms 
of  insects,  especially  plant-lice  and  small  beetles,  the  Tennessee  Warbler 
also  occasionally  eats  small  seeds  and  berries. 

GENUS  COMPSOTHLYPIS  CABANIS. 
Compsothlypis  americana  (LINN.). 

Parula  Warbler ;  Blue  Yellow-backed  Warbler. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  97). 

Bill  rather  stout,  conical  and  acute,  and  gently  curved  along  culmen  ;  maxilla 
mostly  blackish,  but  its  edges  and  the  mandible  paler  or  yellowish  (in  dried  skins)  ; 
legs  yellowish-brown  ;  the  indistinct  notch  of  mandible  is  best  seen  with  a  magnify- 
ing glass ;  rictal  bristles  inconspicuous.  General  color  above  blue ;  a  triangular 
greenish  or  brownish-yellow  patch  on  middle  of  back  ;  wing-band  white ;  two  outer 
tail  feathers  on  either  side  with  white  spots  on  mner  webs;  chin,  throat,  breast,  yel- 
low the  breast  in  some  individuals  reddish-brown  ;  rest  of  lower  parts  white. 

Habitat.— Eastern  United  States,  west  to  the  plains,  north  to  Canada,  and  south 
in  winter  to  the  West  Indies  and  Central  America. 

Summer  resident  from  early  in  May  until  about  the  last  week  in 
September.  Although  this  species  breeds  quite  generally  throughout 
the  state  in  damp  forests  and  swampy  wooded  thickets,  where  the  long 
tufts  of  gray  lichens  ( Usnea  barbata  and  its  varieties),  in  which  it  builds, 
are  abundant,  I  have  observed  these  pretty  little  warblers  to  be  more 
plentiful  in  the  northern  and  eastern  portions  of  the  state  during  the 
summer  than  elsewhere.  When  migrating  the  Parula  Warbler  is  fre- 
quently found  in  orchards  and  gardens  as  well  as  in  woodland.  This 
species  feeds  largely  on  spiders,  caterpillars,  small  flies,  and  coleopterous 
insects,  and  they  also  devour  numerous  aphides. 

GENUS  DENDROICA*  GRAY. 
Dendroica  tigrina  (GMEL  ) 

Cape  May  Warbler. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Length  5]  ;  extent  8| ;  wing  2?  ;  tail  2.15.  Bill  and  legs  black  ;  the  lower  mandible 
in  autumnal  specimens  (dried  skins)  is  somewhat  paler  than  the  upper  ;  bill  rather 

*  This  genus  is  the  largest,  as  regards  the  number  of  species,  of  any  in  the  state.  All  of  these  birds,  as 
far  as  is  known,  with  one  exception,  nest  in  trees  and  bushes.  The  Yellow  Palm  Warbler  nests  • '  on  the 
ground  in  open  situations."  Many  of  these  small,  sprightly  and  ever  active  insect  hunters,  are  among 
our  most  beautiful  and  pleasing  visitors  during  their  vernal  and  autumnal  passages,  to  and  from  more 
northern  breeding  grounds,  or  In  the  summer  months.  The  Yellow  Warbler  (Dendroic.ii  (estiva)  has  Inner 
webs  of  outer  tail  feathers  yellow  ;  the  other  species  of  this  group  have  rectrices  (tail  feathers)  blotched 
or  spotted  (usually  only  on  inner  webs)  with  white.  The  coloration  of  the  sexes  in  a  number  of  species 
is  greatly  different ;  the  adults  of  the  same  species  in  some  instances  are  not  only  different  in  both  the 
spring  and  fall  attire,  but  some  of  them  differ  considerably  from  their  young. 


280  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

slender  very  acute  ;  obsoletely  notched  near  end,  and  commisure  slightly  arched  or 
curved. 

Male  in  spring. — Top  of  head  blackish  ;  back  yellowish-olive,  with  faint  dusky 
streaks  anteriorly;  rump,  sides  of  head  and  neck  and  under  parts  yellow  (under 
tail-coverts  in  two  specimens  before  me  are  nearly  white),  ear-patch,  chestnut,  chin 
and  throat  often  tinged  with  same ;  throat,  anterior  part  of  breast  and  sides  with 
rather  narrow  black  streaks ;  a  yellowish  line  over  eye  extends  to  chestnut  ear- 
coverts ;  blackish  loral  line;  white  wing  patch  (this  is  smaller  in  female);  inner 
webs  of  three  outer  pairs  of  tail  feathers  have  white  patches  on  inner  webs  (these 
patches  are  small  or  obscure  in  female).  The  female  is  rather  similar  to  male  but 
lacks  the  conspicuous  head  markings  (the  male  in  fall  also  has  chestnut  head  mark- 
ings indistinct). 

Habitat. — Eastern  North  America,  north  to  Hudson's  Bay  territory,  west  to  the 
plains,  breeds  from  northern  New  England  northward,  and  also  in  Jamaica  ;  winters 
in  the  West  Indies. 

Rather  rare  and  irregular  spring"  migrant,  but  some  seasons  tolerably 
common  in  the  spring.  Arrives  in  Pennsylvania  usually  about  the 
middle  of  May,  when  for  a  few  days  they  are  to  be  found  in  forests 
(usually  in  tops  of  trees)  and  sometimes  in  orchards.  When  migrating 
southward  in  the  fall  (September  generally)  these  warblers  are  much 
more  plentiful  than  in  the  spring,  and  they  frequently  are  observed  in 
low  trees  in  woods,  or  in  bushes,  and  occasionally  on  the  ground  along 
the  roadsides  or  about  the  margins  of  woods.  Food — larvae,  flies,  plant- 
lice,  small  beetles,  etc. 


Dendroica  aestiva  (GMEL.). 

Yellow  Warbler. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  41). 

Length  about  5|  inches ;  extent  about  1\  ;  bill  bluish-black ;  legs  and  feet  pale 
brown. 

Male. — Golden-yellow ;  back  olive-yellow  ;  chest  and  sides  streaked  with  brownish- 
red  not  black  or  dusky  ;  wings  and  tail  dusky  ;  the  inner  webs  of  outer  tail  feathers 
with  large  blotches  of  yellow  not  white.  Female  and  young  duller,  and  the  former 
with  brownish-red  streaks  very  obscure  or  entirely  wanting. 

Habitat. — North  America  at  large,  south  in  winter  to  Central  America  and  north- 
ern South  America. 

Abundant  summer  resident.  Arrives  the  last  week  in  April  and  re- 
mains until  about  the  middle  of  September.  A  common  inhabitant  of 
shrubbery  in  gardens,  lawns,  and  parks,  and  also  frequents  orchards ;  it 
is  often  seen  in  groves  but  is  rarely  observed  in  forests.  Builds  a  small 
compact  cup-shaped  nest  of  plant-fibers,  spiders'  webs,  lined  with  woolly 
plant  substances,  feathers  or  hair,  in  an  upright  fork  of  a  tree  or  bush. 
In  this  locality  pear  trees  and  bushes  in  hedge-rows  are  favorite  breed- 
ing places.  This  bright  and  pleasing  little  songster  may  frequently  be 
observed  in  trees  and  bushes  or  on  telegraph  wires  along  the  roadsides. 
With  us  the  Yellow  Warbler,  according  to  my  observations,  subsists  ex- 
clusively on  various  forms  of  insect-life,  especially  small  beetles,  plant- 


Plate  69. 


Great  Blue  Heron. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  281 

lice,  flies,   spiders,  ants   and  larvae.     It   is  stated,  however,  that  this 
species  often  feeds  on  small  seeds  and  berries. 

Dendroica  caerulescens  (GMEL.).  . 

Black-throated  Blue  Warbler. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  97,  male  and  female). 

Length  about  5^ ;  extent  8. 

Male  adult. — Uniform  blue  above;  no  white  wing-bars  but  basal  portion  of 
primaries  (other  than  first)  white,  forming  a  conspicuous  patch  ;  lores,  a  narrow 
frontal  line  and  plumage  on  sides  of  head,  sides  of  breast,  chin,  throat  and  sides, 
deep  black ;  rest  of  under  parts  white ;  outer  tail  feathers  spotted  on  inner  webs 
with  white  (these  spots  in  female,  and  the  young,  in  fall  are  much  restricted).  Bill 
blackish  ;  legs  (dried  skins)  brownish,  but  in  autumnal  specimens  are  often  much 
paler. 

Female.— -Grayish  olive-green  above  ;  tail  and  wings,  especially  the  former,  with  a 
bluish  cast ;  lores  and  ear-patches  dusky  ;  a  pale  whitish  line  from  nostrils  above  and 
back  of  eye ;  eyelids  whitisli ;  white  patch  on  primaries  as  in  male  but  smaller ; 
white  spots  on  tail  feathers  indistinct ;  chin,  throat,  breast  and  rest  of  under  parts 
dull  (soiled)  yellow. 

Habitat. — Eastern  North  America  to  the  plains,  breeding  from  northern  New 
England  and  northern  New  York  northward,  and  in  the  Alleghanies  to  northern 
Georgia  ;  West  Indies  in  winter. 

The  Black-throated  Blue  Warbler  occurs  generally  throughout  Penn- 
sylvania only  as  a  passing  visitor  in  the  spring  and  fall.  Dr.  Van  Fleet 
has  found  this  warbler  breeding  in  Clarion  and  Clearfield  counties,  and 
Prof.  A.  Kock  has  observed  it  as  a  regular  summer  resident  of  Lycoming 
county.  I  have  repeatedly  seen  these  birds  in  the  mountainous  regions 
in  different  sections  of  the  central  and  northern  parts  of  the  state,  and 
there  can  be  no  doubt  but  that  they  breed  regularly  in  nearly  all  our 
higher  mountainous  regions.  The  female  of  this  species,  although  con- 
siderably different  from  the  male  in  his  showy  coat  of  blue,  black  and 
white,  can  always  be  known  by  the  white  patch  at  base  of  primaries. 


Dendroica  coronata  (LiNN.). 

Myrtle  Warbler. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  98,  male). 

Rump,  crown  and  sides  of  breast  yellow,  in  all  plumages  more  or  less  distinct 
Length  (average  of  six  specimens)  male  6  inches ;  extent  (three  specimens  in  flesh) 
9^ ;  wing  3  or  a  little  less.  Female  somewhat  smaller ;  bill  and  legs  black. 

Male,  in  spring. — Above  slate-blue,  streaked  with  black ;  two  wing-bands  white 
and  inner  webs  of  outer  tail  feathers  spotted  with  same ;  lores  and  sides  of  head,  and 
most  of  breast  and  sides  (except  as  above  mentioned)  black;  chin,  throat,  eyelids 
and  superciliary  line,  and  belly  white. 

female.— Similar  but  much  duller.  Autumnal  specimens  are  chiefly  brownish 
above,  with  blackish  streaks ;  below  much  lighter  and  quite  thickly  streaked. 

Habitat.— Eastern  North  America,  chiefly,  straggling  more  or  less  commonly 
westward  to  the  Pacific  ;  breeds  from  northern  United  States  northward,  and  winters 


282  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

from  Middle  States  (rarely  seen  in  Pennsylvania)  and  the  Ohio  valley  southward 
to  the  West  Indies  and  Central  America. 

The  Myrtle  Warbler,  also  called  Yellow-rump  and  Yellow-crown,  is  the 
most  abundant  of  all  the  family  occurring1  in  this  state.  It  is  one  of  the 
first  to  arrive  from  the  south ;  small  flocks  being  often  observed  in  the 
southern  parts  of  Pennsylvania  early  in  April.  During-  mild  winters 
doubtless  a  few  of  these  warblers  remain  along-  our  southern  borders.  I 
have  several  times  seen  individuals  of  this  species  in  company  with 
sparrows,  in  different  parts  of  Maryland,  Delaware  and  West  Virginia 
in  whiter  when  snow  was  on  the  ground.  My  friend,  Eobert  Eidg-way, 
writing-  of  the  Mrytle  Warbler  in  southern  Illinois,*  says:  "It  may  often 
be  seen  in  midwinter,  when  the  ground  is  covered  with  snow,  in  the 
door-yards  along  with  Snow-birds  (Junco  hyemalis),  Tree  Sparrows  and 
other  familiar  species,  gleaning  bread  crumbs  from  the  door-steps,  or 
hunting  for  spiders  or  other  insect  tid-bits  in  the  nooks  of  the  garden 
fence  or  the  crevices  in  the  bark  of  trees ;  and  at  evening,  flying  in  con- 
siderable companies,  to  the  sheltering  branches  of  the  thickest  tree  tops 
(preferably  evergreens),  where  they  pass  the  night.  Not  unfrequently, 
however,  they  roost  in  odd  nooks  and  crannies  about  the  buildings  or  even 
in  holes  in  the  straw  or  hay-stacks  in  the  barn-yard.  A  favorite  food  of 
this  species  are  berries  of  the  Poison-vine  (Elms  toxicodendrori),  and 
during^  the  early  part  of  winter  large  numbers  of  them  may  be  seen 
wherever  vines  of  this  species  are  abundant." 

Although  I  have  never  found  the  nest  of  the  Yellow-rump  in  this  state, 
I  believe  that  future  research  will  show  that  it  breeds  regularly,  but 
sparingly,  in  some  of  our  secluded  and  higher  mountainous  districts.  I 
have  seen  on  different  occasions,  as  noted  on  a  previous  page,  birds  of 
this  species  in  the  summer  months ;  and  have  also  observed  single  birds 
or  small  detached  flocks  late  in  August  and  early  in  September,  in  Chester, 
York  and  Juniata  counties,  whence  they  doubtless  had  come  from  some 
comparatively  near  breeding  place.  The  food  of  tho  Myrtle  Warbler,  in 
spring,  is  composed  mainly  of  insects,  especially  beetles,  spiders,  flies, 
aphides,  etc.,  and  in  the  late  fall  and  winter,  in  addition  to  numerous 
kinds  of  insects,  this  bird  often  eats  various  kinds  of  berries.  I  have 
found  in  their  stomachs  remains  of  wild  grapes,  cedar  berries  and  seeds 
of  other  berries.  In  Florida  I  have  seen  Myrtle  Warblers  feeding  on 
Palmetto  berries. 

Dendroica  auduboni  (TOWNS.). 

Audubon's  Warbler. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Similar  to  D.  coronata,  from  which  it  differs  chiefly  in  having  throat  yellow ;  no 
white  superciliary  line ;  sides  of  head  lead  color ;  male  has  large  white  wing  patch  ; 
female  two  white  wing-bands. 


Nat.  Hist.  Survey  of  111.,  Vol.  1,  Orn. .  p.  141. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  283 


Habitat.— Western  United  States,  east  to  the  western  border  of  the  plains  ;  south 
in  winter  to  Guatemala.  Accidental  in  Pennsylvania  and  Massachusetts. 

On  the  8th  of  November,  1889,  I  captured  a  fine  adult  female  of  this 
species  in  an  apple  orchard  in  Chester  county.  This  is  the  only  speci- 
men of  this  decidedly  western  bird  that  has  ever  been  taken  in  Penn- 
sylvania, and  but  one  other  specimen  *  of  Audubon's  Warbler  has  been 
recorded  east  of  its  common  range.  I  found  this  bird  in  company  with 
some  Snow-birds  (Junco  hyemalis)  and  White-throated  Sparrows.  In 
its  stomach  a  few  seeds  and  fragments  of  beetles  were  found.  The 
feathers  about  its  bill  were  more  or  less  soiled  evidently  by  juices  of 
berries  on  which  it  had  been  feeding. 


Dendroica  maculosa  (GMBL.). 

Magnolia  Warbler. 

DESCRIPTION  {Plate  94,  Male). 

Length  (average  of  seven  males)  4.90  ;  extent  (average  of  seven  males)  7.35 ;  wing 
(average  of  seven  males)  2.40.  Female  usually  somewhat  smaller. 

Male,  in  spring.— Bill  and  legs  blackish  ;  crown  grayish  slate-blue  ;  black  feathers 
of  forehead  and  lores  continuous  with  a  black  streak  below  and  a  wider  one  behind 
eye  that  joins  the  triangular  black  space  on  back  (the  black  back  feathers  are  in 
many  specimens  edged  with  yellowish-green)  below  bright  yellow  streaked  or 
blotched  (except  on  chin,  throat  and  middle  portion  of  abdomen)  with  black  ;  under 
tail-coverts  white ;  all  tail-feathers,  except  central  pair,  have  white  spots  on  inner 
webs  in  middle  ;  rump  yellow  :  two  wing  bars  or  a  white  patch ;  upper  tail-coverts 
black ;  white  streak  back  of  eye. 

Female  similar  but  much  duller.  The  young  are  quite  different.  Top  of  head 
and  neck  behind  ashy-gray,  back  greenish-olive  ;  upper  tail-coverts  black,  with  ex- 
tensive grayish  edgings ;  below  chiefly  yellow,  the  streaks  of  black  being  mainly  on 
sides,  can  be  recognized  by  peculiar  white  tail  markings  previously  described,  the 
yellowruinp  and  under  parts;  maxilla  brownish  ;  mandible  yellowish,  and  legs  paler 
than  in  adult. 

Habitat. — Eastern  North  America  to  the  base  of  the  Rocky  mountains,  breeding 
from  northern  New  England,  northern  New  York  and  northern  Michigan,  to 
Hudson's  Bay  territory.  In  winter,  Bahamas,  Cuba  and  Central  America. 

This  active  and  beautiful  warbler  arrives  in  Pennsylvania  early  in 
May  and  departs  in  September.  Inhabits  woodland  chiefly,  but  often 
when  migrating  is  seen  in  orchards  and  gardens.  As  a  bird  of  passage 
it  is  quite  common  and  very  generally  distributed  throughout  the  state ; 
and  it  also  breeds  regularly,  but  not  abundantly,  in  many  sections  of  the 
mountain  districts.  I  have  seen  Magnolia  Warblers,  in  midsummer,  in 
the  mountains  of  Blair,  McKean  and  Cameron  counties,  and  their  nests 
have  been  found  in  Crawford,  Sullivan  and  Somerset  counties,  where,  I 
am  reliably  informed,  they  breed  regularly.  The  Magnolia  Warbler  can 
easily  be  recognized  by  its  showy  dress  of  black  and  yellow  and  the 
conspicuous  broad  white  band  on  middle  of  tail  feathers.  Mr.  Bidg- 

*  A  male  D.  audubonl  was  captured  by  Mr.  A.  M.  Frazer  at  Cambridge,  Mass..  November  15,  1876. — 
Birds  Col.  Valley.  i>.  T.3. 


284  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

way,  *  writing-  of  this  species,  very  aptly  says,  "  it  is  one  of  the  most 
agile  of  its  tribe,  its  quick  and  restless  movements  being  more  like 
those  of  the  Eedstart  than  those  of  its  nearest  kindred."  Food  consists 
largely  of  various  small  winged  insects ;  plant-lice,  ants  and  spiders  are 
also  fed  upon  to  a  considerable  extent. 

Dendroica  caerulea  (Wiis.). 

Cerulean  Warbler 

DESCRIPTION. 

Length  4|  to  5 ;  extent  about  8£  inches. 

Male,  in  spring.— Above  bright  blue,  streaked  with  black  ;  the  crown  somewhat 
brighter  and  darkest ;  below  white;  the  breast  and  sides  with  blue  or  bluish-black 
streaks  ;  two  white  wing  bars ;  tail-feathers,  except  central  pair,  with  white  patches 
on  inner  webs,  near  the  end. 

"  Female. — Greenish-blue  above,  brightest  on  the  crown  ;  beneath  white,  tinged 
with  greenish-yellow,  obsoletely  streaked  on  the  sides ;  eyelids  and  a  superciliary 
line  greenish-white."  (Hist.  N.  Am.  .£.) 

Habitat.—  Eastern  United  States  and  southern  Canada  to  the  plains.     Rare  or . 
casual  east  of  central  New  York  and  the  Alleghanies.     Cuba  (rare)  and  Central 
America  in  winter. 

The  Cerulean  or  Blue  Warbler  I  have  found  in  eastern  Pennsylvania 
only  as  a  very  rare  spring  and  fall  migrant.  During  the  last  ten  years 
I  have  seen  but  five  of  these  birds,  one  was  observed  in  an  apple  orchard 
in  May,  the  others  were  all  seen  in  the  tops  of  tall  forest  trees.  In  the 
western  counties  of  the  state  this  species  is  reported  to  be  tolerably 
frequent  during  migrations,  and  Dr.  Yan  Fleet  says  it  breeds  in  Clinton 
county ;  and  in  Somerset  county  Dr.  H.  D.  Moore  has  noted  it  as  a  rare 
summer  visitor.  The  viscera  of  two  individuals  which  I  have  examined 
contained  spiders  and  small  beetles,  etc. ;  the  stomach  of  one  bird  was 
destitute  of  all  food  except  portions  of  a  wasp-like  insect. 

Dendroica  pensylvanicaf  (Lmu.). 

Chestnut-sided  Warbler. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  73,  Fig.  <?,  Male}. 

Length  about  5 ;  extent  about  7|  inches. 

Male,  in  sp ring.— Above  greenish-olive  and  pale  bluish-gray  (the  latter  especially 
on  back  of  neck)  streaked  with  black ;  top  of  head  yellow,  with  black  border  (in 
some  specimens  feathers  of  forehead  and  those  above  the  black  lores  and  eyes  are 
whitish)  ;  broad  triangular  patch  below  eye  from  base  of  mandible  black,  and  from 
this  a  narrow  black  line  joins  the  showy  chestnut  stripe  which  extends  back  along 
sides  to  flanks ;  ear-coverts  and  portion  of  sides  of  neck,  and  rest  of  under  parts  pure 
white,  two  yellowish  wing-bands ;  three  outer  pairs  of  tail-feathers  white  on  inner 
webs  towards  end. 

*  Ornithology  of  Illinois.  —  Ridyw. 

tThe  bill  in  this  species,  and  also  in  D.  castanea.  is  broader,  and  the  bristles  are  longer  than  in  others 
of  the  genus. 


Plate  70. 


Pileated  Woodpecker. 
1.  Male;  2.  Female. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  285 

Female.— Similar  to  male,  but  more  greenish-yellow  above,  but  streaked  with 
black  ;  the  black  head  markings  are  usually  absent,  sometimes  very  indistinctly 
shown  on  malar  region  or  about  eyes ;  a  whitish  ring  about  eye  ;  the  chestnut  streak 
is  much  restricted. 

Young. — Well  marked  yellow  wing-bands  ;  upper  parts  yellowish-green  with  or 
without  dusky  streaks  ;  sides  of  head,  sides  of  neck  and  backward  grayish-ash,  rest 
of  lower  parts  white,  with  or  without  traces  of  chestnut  stripe  on  sides. 

Habitat. — Eastern  United  States  and  southern  Canada,  west  to  the  plains,  breed- 
ing southward  to  central  Illinois  and  the  Appalachian  highlands  probably  to  north- 
ern Georgia.  In  winter  south  to  Bahamas,  eastern  Mexico,  Central  America,  etc. 

Regular  spring-  and  fall  migrant,  arriving-  about  the  first  week  in  May 
and  departing-  in  September.  This  species  is  usually  much  more  num- 
erous in  the  fall  than  during  the  vernal  migration.  In  the  spring  this 
handsome  little  warbler  is  generally  most  frequently  to  be  found  in 
woods  or  thickets ;  but  occasionally  he  also  is  seen  in  orchards  seeking 
insects  among  the  fragrant  rose-tinted  blossoms.  I  have  seen  birds  of 
this  species,  in  the  summer,  in  the  counties  of  Chester,  Delaware,  Lan- 
caster, Wayne,  Susquehanna,  Blair,  Columbia,  Mercer,  Cameron  and 
McKean,  where  I  have  no  doubt  this  bird  breeds  regularly*  but  spar- 
ingly. From  reports  received  from  observers  in  nearly  all  parts  of  the 
state,  especially  in  the  upper  half,  I  find  this  bird  breeds  regularly  (but 
no  place  is  it  mentioned  as  being  common)  in  nearly  all  parts  of  the 
commonwealth.  Feeds  on  various  larvae,  small  beetles,  and  other  in- 
sects. Once,  late  in  July,  I  shot  a  male  Chestnut-sided  Warbler  in  a 
thicket  near  West  Chester,  the  feathers  of  its  chin  and  throat  were 
stained  with  what  appeared  to  be  the  juice  of  a  blackberry,  possibly  this 
species  sometimes  feeds  on  berries. 

Dendroica  castanea  (WiLS.). 

Bay-breasted  Warbler. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  7S,  Fig.  £). 

Length  about  5§  ;  extent  about  8£. 

Male,  in  spring.—  Forehead  and  sides  of  head  black  ;  crown  dark-chestnut ;  back 
thickly  streaked  with  black  and  grayish  ;  chin,  throat,  forebreast  and  sides  chestnut, 
duller  than  crown;  under  tail-coverts  pale  buff;  rest  of  lower  parts,  also  a  patch 
behind  ears,  pale  yellowish-white ;  two  white  wing-bars ;  twro  outer  tail-feathers 
with  white  spots  near  end,  and  others  also  whitish  on  inner  edges.  Female  i.s  more 
greenish-brown  above,  streaked  with  black  ;  traces  of  chestnut  on  crown  and  lower 
parts  ;  bill  and  legs  blackish. 

Habitat.— Eastern  North  America,  north  to  Hudson's  Bay.  Breeds  from  northern 
New  England  and  northern  Michigan  northward  ;  winters  in  Central  America. 

Irregular  spring  and  fall  migrant,  usually  more  plentiful  in  the  fall. 
Perhaps  the  Bay -breasted  Warbler  is  more  numerous  than  it  is  generally 
admitted  to  be.  During  their  brief  visits  in  this  region  I  have  noticed 
that  these  warblers  are  usually  to  be  observed  in  the  topmost  branches 
of  tall  forest  trees,  particularly  in  oaks,  chestnuts  and  hickories.  Food 

•In  1872.  Dr.  J.  C.  Merrill,  of  Philadelphia,  found  this  species  breeding  and  quite  common  in  Monroe 
county. 


286  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

of  five  of  these  birds  which  1  have  examined,  consisted  of  beetles,  larvae 
and  flies. 

"  The  females  and  immature  males  of  this  species  differ  much  from 
the  spring  males,  and  are  often  confounded  with  other  species,  especially 
with  D.  striata.  A  careful  comparison  of  an  extensive  series  of  imma- 
ture specimens  of  the  two  species  shows  that  in  castanea  the  under  parts 
are  seldom  washed  uniformly  on  the  throat  and  breast  with  yellowisK- 
green,  but  while  this  may  be  seen  on  the  sides  of  the  neck  and  breast, 
or  even  across  the  latter,  the  chin  and  throat  are  nearly  white,  the  sides 
tinged  with  dirty  brown,  even  if  the  (generally  present)  trace  of  chest- 
nut be  wanting  on  the  sides.  There  is  a  buff  tinge  to  the  under  tail- 
coverts  ;  the  quills  are  abruptly  margined  with  white,  and  there  are  no 
traces  (however  obsolete)  of  streaks  on  the  breast.  In  D.  striata  the 
under  parts  are  quite  uniformly  washed  with  greenish-yellow  nearly  as 
far  back  as  the  vent,  the  sides  of  the  breast  and  sometimes  of  the  belly 
with  obsolete  streaks ;  no  trace  of  the  uniform  dirty  reddish-brown  on 
the  sides;  the  under  tail -coverts  are  pure  white.  The  quills  are  only 
gradually  paler  towards  the  inner  edge  instead  of  being  abruptly 
white." — Ridgw.  Orn.  of  III. 


Dendroica  striata  (FoRST.). 

Black-poll  Warbler. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Length  about  5£  ;  extent  8£  to  9|  inches.  Maxilla  brownish  ;  mandible  paler  ;  legs 
and  feet  yellowish. 

Male,  in  spring. — Upper  half  of  head,  on  a  level  with  middle  of  eye,  also  nape,  pure 
black  ;  sides  and  back  of  neck  white  streaked  with  black  ;  upper  parts  generally  ash- 
gray  thickly  streaked  with  black  ;  two  white  wing  bars ;  two  outer  pa  irs  of  tail- 
feathers  with  conspicuous  white  spots  on  inner  webs  near  ends;  lower  half  of  head 
including  ear-coverts  white ;  median  under  parts  white,  streaked  and  spotted  with 
black  from  chin  along  sides  of  neck  back  to  tail. 

Female  greenish  olive  above  (including  crown)  streaked  with  black  ;  lower  parts 
streaked  as  in  male,  yellowish  ring  about  eye,  and  the  white  of  lower  parts,  especi- 
ally on  breast,  in  nearly  all  specimens  is  tinged  with  yellowish  ;  dusky  streak  in 
front  of  and  behind  eye.  The  fall  plumage  is  very  different.  Above  light  olive- 
green  indistinctly  streaked  with  dusky  ;  below  white  and  yellowish  with  or  without 
streaks ;  but  both  old  and  young  in  any  plumage  have  white  lower  tail-coverts,  not 
pale  buff  as  in  D.  castanea. 

Habitat.— Eastern  North  America  to  the  Rocky  mountains,  north  to  Greenland, 
the  Barren  Grounds,  and  Alaska,  breeding  from  northern  New  England  northward. 
South  in  winter  to  northern  South  America. 

Abundant  spring  and  fall  migrant ;  frequents  forests  and  orchards,  and 
shade  trees  in  the  streets,  parks  and  lawns.  Individuals  of  this  species 
have  been  observed  here  (Chester  county)  sometimes  as  late  as  the  12th  of 
June.  The  Black-poll  Warbler  breeds  most  abundantly  in  the  far  north ; 
its  nests,  eggs,  and  young  have  been  found  by  Mr.  E.  W.  Nelson  in 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  287 

Alaska,  and  by  Mr.  L.  M.  Turner  in  Labrador  and  Ungava.  Mr.  E.  W. 
Nelson,  *  writing-  of  this  species,  says:  "  It  is  stated  that  it  usually  builds 
its  nest  in  bushes,  a  few  feet  from  the  ground,  but  some  Arctic  nests  are 
placed  directly  upon  the  ground.  This  variation  in  habit  probably  ac- 
cords with  the  locality,  since  it  nests  in  bushes  when  the  latter  are  to  be 
found." 

This  species  is  generally  seen  singly  or  in  pairs,  but  sometimes  small 
detached  flocks  are  to  be  met  with.  Feeds  on  beetles,  flies,  aphides, 
spiders  and  canker-worms.  Has  a  rather  sharp  lisping  and  somewhat 
squeaky  note.  "  Dr.  Bryant  met  with  it  in  the  Bahamas,  in  the  spring 
of  1859,  where  it  was  abundant  from  the  1st  to  the  10th  of  May.  He 
describes  its  habits  as  similar  to  those  of  the  Mniotilta  varia  (Black  and 
White  Warbler),  climbing  around  the  trunks  of  trees  in  search  of  in- 
sects with  the  same  facility.  *  *  *  Dr.  Coues  found  it  abundant  in 
Labrador  in  all  well-wooded  situations,  and  describes  it  as  a  most  expert 
flycatcher,  taking  insects  on  the  wing  in  the  same  manner  as  the  Con- 
topus  virens  (Wood  Pewee)."  —  Hist.  N.  Am.  Birds. 


Dendroica  blackburnise 

Black  bumian  "Warbler. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  98,  male). 

Top  of  head  with  a  central  spot  of  yellow  ;  yellowish  (sometimes  whitish)  and  in- 
distinct in  young.  Length  5£  ;  extent  about  8^. 

Male,  in  spring.—  Outer  tail-feathers,  except  ends,  chiefly  white  ;  white  wing  patch  ; 
middle  of  crown  with  a  patch  of  orange  ;  rest  of  upper  parts  chiefly  black  ;  back 
streaked  more  or  less  with  grayish,  whitish  and  yellowish  ;  black  area  in  front  of 
eye  ;  ear-coverts  blackish  ;  between  the  black  streak  below  the  eye  and  the  eye  is  a 
bright  orange  spot;  chin,  throat,  forebreast,  and  superciliary  line,  orange-red 
brightest  on  throat  and  breast  ;  rest  of  lower  parts  white,  more  or  less  tinged  with 
yellow  ;  sides  streaked  with  black. 

Female  quite  similar,  but  paler.  Autumnal  specimens  are  much  duller  and 
have  two  wing  bars  ;  the  females  and  young  especially  are  more  brownish,  olive 
above  and  the  streaks  below  are  much  less  distinct  ;  the  bright-colored  throat  and 
breast  of  female  is  duller,  and  the  yellow  is  only  clearly  shown  on  chest  of  young 
male. 

Habitat.  —  Eastern  North  America  to  the  plains,  breeding  from  the  northern  and 
more  elevated  parts  of  the  eastern  United  States  northward  ;  in  winter,  south  to 
Bahamas,  Central  America,  etc. 

The  Blackburnian  Warbler  is  a  regular  and  tolerably  plentiful  spring 
and  fall  migrant,  arriving  in  Pennsylvania  from  the  10th  to  the  15th  of 
May,  and  departing  in  September.  This  species  breeds  rather  sparingly 
but  regularly  in  the  mountain  regions  of  our  state,  and,  occasionally,  in- 
dividuals have  been  observed  during  the  summer  months  in  the  south- 
east and  also  in  some  of  the  western  counties.  Dr.  W.  Van  Fleet 
informs  me  this  bird  breeds  "  quite  plentifully  in  Clinton,  Clearfleld  and 
Northumberland  counties,"  and  Prof.  August  Kock  has  found  this  bean- 

'Kept,  upon  Nat.  Htst.  Coll.  made  in  Alaska,  p.  203. 


288  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

tiful  warbler  as  a  regular  and  moderately  common  summer  resident  in 
the  mountainous  districts  of  romantic  Ly coming-  county.  Its  nests  have 
been  taken,  it  is  said,  in  low  bushes  in  Crawford  county.  I  have  taken 
several  of  these  warblers  in  Centre,  McKean  and  Susquehanna  counties 
late  in  June  and  early  in  August.  This  species  is  generally  found  in 
woods  or  thickets,  but  often,  when  migrating  (especially  in  spring),  these 
birds  visit  orchards.  Commonly  seen  singly  or  in  pairs,  but  occasion- 
ally in  spring  I  have  seen  companies  of  six  to  eight  together  and  in  one 
instance  a  dozen  of  these  bright  orange-throated  beauties  were  observed 
feeding  together  in  a  couple  of  beech  trees  in  a  woods  along  the 
Youghiogheny  river  in  Fay ette 'county.  Food  about  the  same  as  that 
of  the  Black-poll. 

Dendroica  dominica  (LiNN.). 

Yellow-throated  "Warbler. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Sexes  (adults)  alike.  Length  about  5j  ;  extent  about  8§.  Bill  and  legs  black. 
Bill  is  long,  measuring  along  exposed  culrnen  .48  (average  of  six  specimens),  much 
compressed  and  sharp  pointed  ;  maxilla  somewhat  curved.  Above  plain  bluish- 
gray  and  unstreaked ;  edges  of  middle  and  greater  coverts  lorm  two  white  wing 
bands ;  inner  webs  of  three  pairs  of  outer  tail-feathers  spotted  with  white  toward 
the  end.  Top  of  head  to  about  middle  of  eyes  black  ;  lores  and  patch  on  sides  of 
head,  continuous  with  patch  on  sides  of  neck,  deep  black  ;  a  white  spot  below  eye  is 
encircled  by  black  which  borders  the  bright  yellow  throat  patch  ;  six  specimens 
before  me  have  yellow  of  chin  separated  from  bill  by  a  few  white  feathers ;  white  area 
on  side  of  neck  separating  black  from  bluish-gray  ;  under  parts,  except  as  already 
mentioned,  white,  conspicuously  streaked  on  sides  with  black.  A  long  stripe  runs 
from  base  of  maxilla  to  nape,  this  stripe  from  bill  and  almost  reaching  the  eye  is 
usually  yellow,  then  it  becomes  pure  white. 

Habitat.—  Southeastern  United  States,  north  to  the  Middle  States,  and  rarely  to 
southern  New  England  ;  south  in  winter  to  the  West  Indies. 

The  Yellow-throated  Warbler  is  a  very  rare  and  irregular  summer 
visitor  in  the  southeastern  part  of  Pennsylvania.  Dr.  W.  P.  Turnbull 
includes  this  species  in  his  list  of  stragglers  in  the  lower  counties  of 
eastern  Pennsylvania.  The  late  C.  D.  Wood,  of  Philadelphia,  showed 
me  a  pair  of  these  warblers  which  he  had  captured  about  the  middle  of 
June  in  Delaware  county.  I  have  in  my  collection  two  specimens  shot 
in  Chester  county,  both  are  males,  one  was  taken  June  27,  1879,  the 
other  July,  1885.  It  is  possible  that  this  southern  bird  occasionally 
breeds  within  or  near  our  southern  borders.  In  the  numerous  reports 
which  I  have  received  from  various  observers  in  different  parts  of 
Pennsylvania  no  mention  is  made  of  the  Yellow-throated  Warbler.  In 
the  winter  of  1885  I  found  this  species  in  small  flocks  and  quite  abund- 
ant in  pine,  palmetto  and  oak  trees  at  different  points  along  the  St. 
John's  river,  from  Palatka  southward  to  Sanford.  Feeds  on  beetles, 
larvae,  ants,  spiders,  etc. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  289 

Dendroica  virens  (GMEL.) 

Black-throated  Green  Warbler. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  97,  male). 

Length  about  5  ;  extent  about  8. 

Male,  in  spring. — Top  of  head,  neck  behind,  scapulars  back  and  rump  bright 
yellowish  olive-green  ;  wings  and  tail  dusky  ;  wings  have  two  white  bars  and  con- 
siderable white  edging,  and  the  outer  tail  feathers  are  principally  white.  In  some 
specimens  the  back  has  a  few  concealed  blackish  streaks ;  a  dusky  streak  from  maxilla 
back  through  eye  and  auriculars,  and  another  one  below  it.  Forehead,  superciliary 
stripes-  (the  latter  extending  to  nape),  sides  of  head  and  neck  rich  yellow  j  chin, 
throat  and  upper  breast  jet  black,  which  is  continued  along  sides  in  streaks;  rest  of 
under  parts  yellowish-white.  Bill  and  legs  blackish,  paler  in  young  and  autumnal 
specimens. 

Female. — Similar  to  male  but  duller  and  the  jet  black  of  chin,  throat  and  breast  is 
absent,  or  at  least  largely  hidden  by  yellowish  and  whitish  ends  of  feathers ;  but 
black  always  is  more  or  less  evident  on  forebreast. 

Young.—  In  fall  resembles  greatly  the  female. 

Habitat.—  Eastern  North  America  to  the  plains,  north  to  Hudson's  Bay  territory, 
breeding  from  the  'northern  United  States  northward.  In  winter,  south  to  Cuba  and 
Panama. 

The  Black-throated  Green  Warbler  is  a  common  and  familiar  visitor  oc- 
curring- generally  throughout  the  state  when  migrating,  and  as  a  summer 
resident  it  is  frequently  met  with  in  the  wooded  regions  of  our  higher 
mountain  ranges.  Although  this  warbler  often  visits  orchard  and  other 
trees  about  the  habitations  of  man,  it  is  to  be  found  most  abundantly 
during  migrations  in  woodland.  It  frequents  the  tops  of  the  forest 
monarchs,  as  well  as  the  lower  limbs  of  trees  and  bushes.  Although 
these  sprightly  and  showily-attired  birds  may  be  observed  in  any  or  all 
kinds  of  trees  in  the  woods,  I  have  noticed  that  where  hickory  and  oak 
trees  are  growing,  there  you  will  generally  find  the  present  species  most 
numerous.  Prof.  August  Kock  informs  me  that  this  bird  breeds  regular 
in  Lycoming  county,  in  the  neighborhood  of  Williamsport.  Dr.  Van 
Fleet  says  it  breeds  rather  plentifully  in  Clinton,  Clearfield  and  North- 
umberland counties.  Prof.  H.  J.  Roddy,  of  Millersville,  has  captured 
specimens  at  Bush  mountain,  Centre  county,  late  in  July,  so  young  as  to 
warrant  him  in  believing  that  they  hatched  in  that  immediate  vicinity. 
Mr.  Sennett  tells  me  this  bird  breeds  in  Crawford  county,  and  I  am  quite 
certain  that  it  is  a  native  in  all  our  northern  tier  of  counties,  as  well  as 
in  many  of  the  counties  to  the  southward.  Food  consists  largely  of 
aphides,  spiders,  beetles,  flies,  larvae,  etc.  Arrives  in  southern  Pennsyl- 
vania usually  about  the  last  week  in  April,  and  occasionally  straggling 
individuals  are  found  along  our  southern  borders  as  late  as  the  middle  of 
October. 


19  BIRDS. 


290  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


Dendroica  townsendi  (NUTT.). 

Townsend's  "Warbler. 

DESCRIPTION 

"Spring,  male. — Above  bright  olive-green  ,  the  leathers  all  black  in  the  cen- 
ter, showing  more  or  less  as  streaks,  especially  on  the  crown,  where  the  black 
predominates.  Quills,  tail  and  upper  tail-covert  feathers  dark-brown,  edged  with 
bluish-gray ;  the  wings  with  two  white  bands  on  the  coverts  ;  the  two  outer  tail- 
feathers  white  with  a  brown  streak  near  the  end  ;  a  white  streak  only  in  the  end  of 
the  third  feather.  Under  parts  as  far  as  the  middle  of  the  body,  with  the  sides  of 
head  and  neck,  including  a  superciliary  stripe  and  a  spot  beneath  the  eye,  yellow  . 
the  median  portion  of  the  side  of  the  head,  the  chin  and  throat,  with  streaks  on  the 
sides  of  the  breast,  flanks  and  under  tail-coverts,  black  ;  the  remainder  of  under  parts 
white.  Length  5  inches  ;  wing  2.65  ;  tail  2.25. 

"Spring,  female. — Resembling  the  male,  but  the  black  patch  on  the  throat  replaced 
by  irregular  blotches  upon  a  pure  yellow  ground." — (  Hist.  N.  Am.  J3.) 

Habitat. — Western  North  America,  east  during  migrations  to  western  Colorado, 
north  to  Sitka,  south  to  Mexico,  and  in  winter  to  Guatemala.  Accidental  near  Phila- 
delphia (Chester  county). 

Accidental.  An  adult  male  of  this  decidedly  western  species,  was  shot 
by  Mr.  C.  D.  Wood,  of  Philadelphia,  May  12,  1868,  in  an  apple  orchard, 
near  Coatesville,  Chester  county.  The  specimen  was  sold  ($40)  to  Dr. 
Turnbull,  and  after  his  death  was  purchased  by  Barney  Hoopes,  Esq., 
of  Philadelphia,  who  subsequently  disposed  of  it  to  the  late  John  Krider, 
of  Philadelphia. 

Dendroica  kirtlandi  BAIRD. 

Kin  hind's  Warbler. 

DESCRIPTION. 

"  Male ;  upper  parts  slaty-blue  ;  crown  and  back  streaked  with  black  ;  lores  and 
frontlet  black  ;  eyelids  mostly  white.  Under  parts  clear  yellow,  whitening  on  cris- 
sum,  the  breast  with  small  spots  and  the  sides  with  short  streaks  of  black  ;  greater 
and  middle  wing-coverts,  quills,  and  tail-feathers  edged  with  white ;  two  outer 
tail-feathers  white-blotched  on  inner  web.  Length  5.50  ;  wing  2.80  ;  tail  2.70 

Adult  female.—  Upper  parts  dull  bluish-gray,  obscured  with  brownish  on  the  hind 
neck  and  back,  marked  with  heavy  blackish  streaks  on  the  whole  back  ;  crown  and 
upper  tail-coverts  with  fine  black  shaft-lines.  Sides  of  head  and  neck  like  upper 
parts,  with  darkened  lores  and  whitish  eye-ring.  Wing  quills  dusky,  with  slight 
whitish  edging  of  both  webs  ;  tail-coverts  like  back,  but  with  large  blackish  central 
field,  and  whitish  edging  and  tipping,  forming  two  inconspicuous  wing-bars.  Tail- 
feathers  like  wing-quills  only  the  outermost  one  having  a  small  white  blotch. 
Entire  under  parts  dull  yellow,  brighter  on  breast,  paler  on  throat  and  belly, 
washed  with  brownish  on  sides,  with  a  slight  necklace  of  brownish  dots  across  the 
forebreast  (as  in  8.  canadensis) ;  these  spots  stronger  on  the  sides  of  the  breast, 
whence  lengthening  into  streaks  on  the  sides  and  flanks  ;  a  few  small  sharp 
scratches  of  the  same  nearly  across  lower  breast.  Under  tail-coverts  white,  un- 
marked. Bill  and  feet  black.  Length  about  5.30  ;  wing  2.60 ;  bill  .40  ;  tarsus  .80."— 
(Key  N.  Am.  Birds.) 

Habitat. — Eastern  United  States  (Pennsylvania,  Ohio,  Missouri,  Michigan,  Wis- 
consin), and  the  Bahamas  in  winter. 


Plate  71. 


Wild  Pigeon.    Mourning  Dove. 
1,  3.  Males;  2.  lemale. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  291 


About  half  a  dozen  specimens  of  this  species  have  been  taken  in  Ohio 
since  the  type  was  captured,  May  13, 1851,  near  Cleveland,  Ohio,  by  Dr. 
Jared  P.  Kirtland.  I  have  never  seen  a  Kirtland's  Warbler  in  this  state, 
and  the  only  one  that  has  ever  been  taken  here,  so  far  as  I  can  learn,  is 
now  in  the  collection  of  Prof.  H.  J.  Koddy,  of  Millersville  State  Normal 
School,  Pennsylvania.  Concerning  this  species,  Mr.  Koddy  writes  me 
as  follows:  "I  shot  a  Kirtland's  Warbler  (D.  kirtlandi),  June  25,  1885, 
near  Dublin  Gap  Springs,  Pennsylvania."  In  the  list  of  birds  which 
accompanied  Mr.  Koddy's  letter,  Kirtland's  Warbler  is  marked  as  a 
breeder,  with  the  following  note,  "  saw  one  (doubtless  the  one  he  shot 
June  25,  1885)  and  its  family."  During  migrations  this  warbler  has 
been  found  in  the  eastern  United  States  as  above  noted ;  it  has  been 
taken  in  winter  in  the  Bahamas,  but  of  its  summer  residence  naturalists 
know  nothing. 

Dendroica  vigorsii  (AuD.). 

Pine  Warbler. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Bill  rather  stout,  blackish  ;  legs  brownish  ;  bill  in  young  is  generally  paler,  espec- 
ially mandible  about  base. 

Length  about  5|  ;  extent  8J. 

Above  bright  yellowish-olive  ;  sides  of  head  and  neck  same  color,  superciliary 
stripe,  spot  under  eye,  chin,  throat,  breast,  portion  of  sides,  and  upper  part  of  abdo- 
men yellow.  The  lower  part  of  belly  and  under  tail-coverts  in  six  specimens  before 
me,  are  dull  white,  and  two  other  specimens  have  these  parts  as  well  as  flanks 
tinged  with  yellow  ;  sides  of  breast  obsoletely  streaked  with  dusky  ;  wings  and  tail 
dusky  grayish  ;  the  edge  of  outer  webs  of  primaries  edged  with  grayish-white,  and 
two  wing  bands  of  same.  The  two  outer  pairs  of  tail-feathers  have  large  white 
spaces  towards  the  end  on  inner  webs,  and  middle  portion  of  outer  web  of  first  pair 
of  lateral  tail-feathers,  is  also  white  or  grayish. 

Female  somewhat  similar  but  duller,  more  grayish-olive  above,  less  yellowish 
below. 

Habitat. — Eastern  United  States,  to  the  plains,  north  to  Ontario  and  New  Bruns- 
wick, wintering  in  the  south  Atlantic  and  Gulf  States  and  the  Bahamas. 

The  Pine  Warbler,  a  regular  though  not  a  common  migrant  in  the 
spring  and  fall,  arrives  in  Pennsylvania  late  in  April  or  early  in  May 
and  departs  usually  in  September. 

By  the  last  of  October  but  few  of  these  birds  are  met  with  in  this 
state.  I  have,  however,  seen  one  or  two  of  these  warblers  here  in  win- 
ter. Mr.  Gentry  mentions  an  instance  where  a  stray  individual  was 
taken  near  Philadelphia  in  midwinter.  The  Messrs.  Baird  found  this 
bird  breeding  in  Cumberland  county.  I  have  taken,  at  different  times, 
three  Pine  Warblers  in  midsummer  in  pine  and  hemlock  woods  in  the 
mountainous  regions,  and  have  no  doubt  this  species  breeds  regularly, 
but  sparingly  in  our  extensive  coniferous  forests.  Prof.  H.  J.  Roddy  has 
found  the  Pine  Warbler  breeding  in  Perry  county.  The  same  observer 
has  also  seen  this  bird  in  the  southern  part  of  our  state  as  a  casual  win- 
ter resident.  Mr.  Sennett  has  observed  this  bird  in  the  Crawford-Erie 


292  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


district  only  as  a  spring  and  fall  migrant ;  Dr.  Yan  Fleet  lias  noted  it  in 
Clinton,  Clearfield  and  Northumberland  counties,  likewise  Prof.  A. 
Kock  in  Ly coming  county,  only  as  a  bird  of  passage  in  the  spring  and 
fall.  Although  occurring  during  migrations  generally  throughout  the 
commonwealth,  the  present  species  is,  according  to  my  observation, 
oftener  met  with  in  the  pine  and  hemlock  woods  than  elsewhere.  Like 
the  Bed-poll  Warbler  (D.  palmarum,  or  its  near  relative  hypoclirysed) 
the  Pine  Warbler  is  frequently  seen  on  the  ground.  Feeds,  like  other 
of  its  kindred,  on  divers  kinds  of  insect  life,  and  occasionally  this  diet 
is  varied  bv  a  few  small  berries  and  seeds. 


Dendroica  palmarum  (GMEL.). 

Palm  Warbler. 

DESCRIPTION! 

Length  about  5|  ;  extent  about  8  ;  above  brownish-olive  ;  back  narrowly  streaked 
with  dusky  ;  rump  and  upper  tail-coverts  yellowish-olive  ;  top  of  head  chestnut ; 
tips  of  middle  and  greater  wing-coverts  paler  than  surrounding  parts,  but  not  form- 
ing distinct  bars  ;  inner  webs  of  two  outer  pairs  of  tail  feathers  white  to  ends  ;  su- 
perciliary stripe  dull  whitish  or  yellowish  ;  lower  eyelids  whitish  ;  under  parts  dull 
whitish  and  yellowish,  the  latter  most  conspicuous  on  throat,  forebreast  and  under 
tail-coverts  ;  breast  and  sides  streaked  with  grayish-brown  or  pale  reddish- brown  ; 
wings  and  tail-feathers  dusky  brown. 

Habitat. — Northern  interior  to  the  Great  Slave  Lake ;  in  winter  and  in  migra- 
tions, Mississippi  valley  and  Gulf  States  ;  including  western  and  southern  Florida 
and  the  West  Indies.  Casual  in  the  Atlantic  states. 

D.  palmarum  hypochrysea,  Ridgw.  (Yellow  Palm  Warbler),  is  a  little  larger  than 
true  palmarum,  from  which  it  differs  also  in  having  under  parts  much  brighter  and 
almost  continuous  yellow  ;  and  the  bright  reddish-chestnut  streaks  in  spring  adults 
are  almost  wholly  confined  to  the  sides  of  breast  and  lower  part  of  neck  (sides)  ;  bill 
blackish  ;'  base  of  lower  mandible  paler ;  legs  brownish  ;  soles  of  feet  yellow. 

Habitat. — Atlantic  states,  north  to  Hudson's  Bay.  Breeds  from  New  Brunswick 
and  Nova  Scotia  northward  ;  winters  in  the  south  Atlantic  and  Gulf  States. 

The  Yellow  Palm  Warbler  is  the  common  form  which  I  have  found  in 
Pennsylvania  east  of  the  Allegheny  mountains.  It  also  occurs  west  of 
the  Alleghanies,  where  the  Palm  Warbler  (D.  palmarum}  is  reported  as 
a  regular  spring  and  fall  migrant.  I  have  taken  one  or  two  birds  in  the 
autumn,  in  southeastern  Pennsylvania,  which  appear  to  be  good  exam- 
ples of  Dendroica  palmarum,  but  from  a  large  series  of  skins  before 
me  I  am  thoroughly  convinced  that  Dendroica  palmarum  hypochrysea 
is  the  common  bird  in  eastern  and  central  Pennsylvania  and  that  Den- 
droica palmarum  occurs  in  the  eastern  two-thirds  of  the  state,  and 
doubtless  throughout  the  entire  state  chiefly  as  a  rare  visitor  during 
migrations.  These  warblers  arrive  here  usually  about  the  20th  of  April 
(some  seasons  individuals  are  seen  as  early  as  the  first  week  in  April  in 
the  southern  parts  of  Chester,  Delaware  and  Lancaster  counties)  and 
are  commonly  observed  for  about  a  week  or  ten  days.  Found  generally 
on  the  ground,  in  fields,  along  fences  and  by  the  roadsides.  In  the  au- 
tumn they  return  late  in  September,  and  frequent  the  same  situations 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  293 

as  in  the  spring ;  they  are  often  seen  in  company  with  different  species 
of  sparrows  and  also  Yellow-rumped  Warblers.  Like  others  of  its 
genus  this  warbler  feeds  on  small  beetles,  larvae,  spiders,  etc. 

Dendroica  discolor  (VnsiLL.). 

Prairie  Warbler. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Length  about  5 ;  extent  about  1\.  Upper  parts  olive-green  (some  specimens 
olive-yellow),  interscapular  region  with  patch  of  reddish  chestnut  spots.  Under 
parts,  sides  of  head  and  streak  from  nostrils  running  back  over  and  behind  eye, 
two  wing-bands  and  under  parts,  yellow  ;  black  streak  in  front  of  eye  and  another 
behind  it  black  ;  sides  of  neck  and  body  streaked  with  black  ;  inner  webs  of  outer 
tail-feathers  mostly  white.  The  female  is  similar  but  duller  and  reddish  spots  on 
back  are  indistinct 

Habitat.—  Eastern  United  States  to  the  plains ;  north  to  Michigan  and  southern 
New  England.  Winters  in  southern  Florida  and  the  West  Indies. 

The  Prairie  Warbler  is  a  regular  and  tolerably  common  migrant  in 
suitable  localities  in  the  eastern  half  of  Pennsylvania.  Arrives  early  in 
May  and  departs  in  September.  Dr.  Van  Fleet,  of  Clinton  county,  and 
Prof.  A.  Kock,  of  Lycoming  county,  have  never  met  with  this  species  in 
their  localities  or  in  fact  is  it  reported  to  occur,  except  in  rare  instances, 
in  any  of  our  higher  mountainous  districts.  In  Erie  and  Crawford 
counties  Mr.  Sennett  has  found  the  Prairie  Warbler  as  a  rare  spring  and 
autumnal  visitor,  and  from  reports  received  from  other  observers  in 
western  Pennsylvania  this  bird  is  either  marked  as  "  not  found  "  or  as  a 
rare  spring  and  fall  migrant.  From  the  fact  that  I  have,  on  different 
occasions,  during  the  summer  months,  seen  Prairie  Warblers  in  high 
grasses,  tall  weeds,  cedar  thickets  and  other  bushy  places  in  old  fields 
on  the  Barren  Eidge  in  the  southeastern  part  of  this  state,  I  am  of  the 
opinion  that  it  breeds  regularly  through  not  abundantly  with  us.  Prof. 
H.  J.  Eoddy  has,  he  informs  me,  found  this  bird  as  a  rare  summer  resi- 
dent in  Perry  county.  Food — flies,  small  beetles,  larvae,  etc. 


GENUS     SEIURUS*     SWAINSON. 
Seiurus  aurocapillus  (LINN.). 

Oven-bird ;   Golden-crowned  Thrush. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  99). 

Length  about  6  ;  extent  about  9|  inches  ;  bill  and  eyes  brown  ;  legs  flesh  color. 
Above  uniform  olive-green  with  a  tinge  of  yellow ;  crown  with  two  black  lateral 

'"Gen.  Char.— Bill  rather  compressed,  with  a  distinct  notch.  Gonys  ascending.  Rictal  bristles  very 
short.  Wings  moderate  (about  three-quarters  of  an  inch  longer  than  the  tail)  ;  first  quill  scarcely 
shorter  than  the  second.  Tail  slightly  rounded,  feathers  acuminate.  Tarsi  about  as  long  as  the  skull, 
considerably  exceeding  the  middle  toe.  Under  tail-coverts  reaching  within  about,  half  an  Inch  of  the 
end  of  the  tail.  Color  above  olivaceous,  beneath  whitish,  thickly  streaked  on  the  breast  and  sides  ; 
wings  and  tail  immaculate.  Nests  on  the  ground,  often  arched  or  sheltered  by  position  or  dry  leaves. 
Eggs  white,  marked  with  red,  brown  and  purple.  This  genus  is  decidedly  sylvicoline  In  general  appear- 
ance, although  the  spots  on  the  breast  resemble  somewhat  those  of  the  thrushes"— (Hist.  N.  Am,  B. ). 


294  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

streaks,  which  extend  from  bill  and  enclose  a  golden  or  brownish-orange  space ; 
white  ring  around  eye ;  beneath  white ;  breast  and  sides  streaked  with  dusky  or 
black.  The  young  at  first  have  no  stripes  on  top  of  head,  and  lower  parts  are  light- 
dull  brownish-yellow,  with  obscure  dusky  streaks. 

Habitat. — Eastern  North  America,  north  to  Hudson's  Bay  territory  and  Alaska, 
breeding  from  Kansas,  the  Ohio  Valley  and  Virginia,  northward.  In  winter,  south- 
ern Florida,  the  West  Indies  and  Central  America. 

This  bird  is  a  common  summer  resident,  arriving  here  generally  about 
the  25th  of  April  and  remaining  until  about  the  last  week  of  Septem- 
ber. Occasionally,  but  rarely,  are  birds  of  this  species  observed  in  the 
southern  counties  after  the  second  week  of  October.  During  migrations 
it  is  often  found  in  thickets,  and  occasionally  is  seen  in  yards  and  gardens. 
In  the  summer  months  it  rarely  is  observed  to  leave  its  favorite  retreats 
in  dark  and  unfrequented  localities  in  forests.  The  Oven-bird  very  care- 
fully hides  its  rather  bulky  and  loosely  built  nest  in  old  leaves,  by  the 
side  of  a  log  or  under  the  projecting  edges  of  brush  heaps;  in  addition 
to  such  protections,  and  to  further  conceal  its  treasures  from  the  curious 
eyes  of  egg-collectors  or  other  predatory  animals,  the  top  is  usually 
covered  over  or  roofed  by  the  birds,  who  gain  an  entrance  through  an 
opening  in  the  side.  The  eggs,  four  to  six,  are  creamy-white,  spotted 
with  reddish-brown.  They  measure  about  .80  of  an  inch  long  and  .60 
of  an  inch  wide.  The  song  of  this  bird  is  exceeding  loud,  shrill  and 
monotonous.  Birds  of  this  genus,  when  walking  on  the  ground,  have 
the  habit  of  wagging  their  tails  like  the  Spotted  Sandpiper.  The 
Oven-bird  subsists  chiefly  on  various  forms  of  insect  life,  such  as  bee- 
tles, earthworms,  crickets,  flies,  spiders  and  larvae;  it  also  sometimes 
feeds  on  small  seeds. 


Seiurus  noveboracensis  (GMEL.). 

Water  Thrush ;  Water  Wagtail ;  Small-billed  Water-Thrush. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  95). 

Length  about  6  ;  extent  about  9  ;  eyes  brown  ;  bill  small  (rather  slender  as  com- 
pared with  next  species),  a  half  inch  or  less  in  length  along  culmen  ;  upper  parts 
uniform  and  dark  olive-brown  ;  below  yellowish  thickly  and  sharply  streaked  ex- 
cept on  belly  and  under  tail-coverts  with  dark  olive-brown  ;  these  streaks  on  breast 
in  some  specimens  are  quite  black  ;  a  yellowish  superciliary  line. 

Habitat. — Eastern  United  States  to  Illinois,  and  northward  to  Arctic  America, 
breeding  from  the  northern  United  States,  northward.  South  in  winter  to  the  West 
Indies  and  northern  South  America. 

The  Water  Thrush  is  common  and  very  generally  distributed 
throughout  Pennsylvania  during  migrations,  or  late  in  April,  May,  Sep- 
tember and  frequently  individuals  are  found  lingering  as  they  pass 
southward,  to  winter  it  is  said  beyond  the  southern  boundaries  of  the 
United  States,  in  our  southern  counties  late  in  October.  Generally, 
however,  the  "Water  Wagtail,  as  many  term  this  bird,  is  not  found  here 
after  the  last  week  in  September.  Like  the  sandpipers  this  bird  may 


Plate  72. 


L  Winter  Wren.    2.  Cat-bird. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  295 

be  seen  frequently  in  shallow  water,  on  logs  and  stones,  etc.,  about 
pools,  swampy  woods  and  creeks  or  ponds  in  thickets.  The  species  is 
nearly  always  seen  singly  or  in  pairs ;  and  occasionally  it  is  found,  when 
migrating,  with  Solitary  Sandpipers,  about  sluggish  streams  or  pools  in 
open  woods.  The  Water  Thrush  breeds  regularly  but  is  not  numerous 
as  a  summer  resident,  in  the  northern  parts  of  the  state.  Dr.  W.  Van 
Fleet  tells  me  that  it  is  a  regular  breeder  in  suitable  localities  in  the 
mountainous  districts  of  Clinton  and  Clearfield  counties.  Dr.  John  W. 
Detwiller,  of  Northampton,  has  taken  their  nests  and  eggs.  Prof.  Roddy 
says  he  has  found  the  Water  Thrush  along  cold  mountain  streams  in 
every  summer  month  and  that  in  July,  1888,  he  saw  a  number  in  the 
Bear  Meadows,  Centre  county.  Prof.  A.  Kock  writes  that  it  occurs 
sparingly  as  a  breeder  about  the  mountain  streams  in  Ly coming  county. 
Mr.  Sennett  has  repeatedly  seen  the  species  in  the  tamarack  swamps  and 
about  small  streams  in  woods  in  Crawford  county,  where  it  breeds  regu- 
larly. The  late  Edmund  Kicksecker  recorded  this  thrush  as  a  regular 
breeder  in  Monroe  county.  Food  consists  largely  of  beetles;  small 
worms,  larvae,  and  small  shells  are  also  frequently  eaten. 


Seiurus  motacilla  (VIEILL.). 

Louisiana  Water-Thrush  ;  Large-billed  Water- Thrush. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Very  similar  to  noveboracensis  but  a  little  larger,  bill  much  stouter  and  a  little 
longer.  Under  parts  white  with  fewer  and  paler  streaks ;  flanks  and  under  tail- 
coverts  (especially  the  latter)  have  a  faint  buffy  tint ;  white  superciliary  line  ;  chin, 
throat,  abdomen  and  under  tail-coverts  unmarked. 

Habitat.— Eastern  United  States,  north  to  southern  New  England  and  west  to  the 
plains.  In  winter,  West  Indies,  southern  Mexico  and  Central  America. 

Of  the  three  species  of  this  genus  the  Louisiana  Water-Thrush  is  the 
rarest.  It  frequents  the  same  localities  as  the  Small-billed  Water- 
Thrush.  I  have  never  seen  this  species  in  the  northern  counties,  and  in 
but  few  of  the  reports  which  have  been  received  from  observers  in  the 
northern  parts  of  the  state  do  I  find  that  it  has  been  observed  as  a  mi- 
grant. Mr.  George  B.  Sennett  has  found  the  Louisiana  Water  Thrush 
in  summer  about  streams  in  the  vicinity  of  Meadville,  Crawford  county. 
Messrs.  George  Miller  and  Casper  Loucks  have  found  it  breeding  in 
York  county ;  and  I  have  taken  a  few  specimens  in  Chester  and  other 
counties  along  our  southern  borders  in  summer.  Food  similar  to  that 
of  the  species  last  mentioned. 


296  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

GENUS     GEOTHLYPIS*     CABANIS. 
Geothlypis  formosa  (WiLs.)- 

Kentucky  Warbler. 

DESCRIPTION  {Plate  98). 

Length  about  5|  ;  extent  about  9.  Top  of  head  black,  the  feathers  edged  poste- 
riorly with  grayish  ;  the  black  lores  join  a  broad  black  patch  below  eye  and  connect^ 
ing  with  a  streak  of  same  on  sides  of  neck  ;  rest  of  upper  parts  greenish-olive  ;  con- 
spicuous superciliary  stripe  and  under  parts  bright  yellow. 

Female  similar  but  somewhat  duller.     The  young  have  black  obscure  or  absent. 

Habitat. — Eastern  United  States,  west  to  the  plains,  and  north  to  southern  New 
England  and  southern  Michigan.  In  winter,  West  Indies  and  Central  America. 

This  beautiful  bird,  readily  mistaken  in  the  bushes  for  the  Hooded 
Warbler,  is  a  summer  resident  in  Pennsylvania,  where  it  arrives  usually 
about  May  1st,  and  remains  until,  generally,  the  middle  of  September. 
As  a  well-known  writer  observes  the  Kentucky  Warbler  resembles  in  its 
manners  the  Water  Thrushes,  "having-  the  same  tilting-  motion  of  the 
body  and  horizontal  altitude  when  perching,  so  characteristic  of  these 
birds  " — (Ridgway).  Although  greatly  like  the  Oven-bird  in  many  of 
its  ways  it  can  easily  be  distinguished  from  the  latter  by  its  bright  yel- 
low and  immaculate  under  parts.  His  song  is  also  much  more  pleasing 
and  different  from  that  of  the  Oven-bird ;  the  song,  Mr.  Eidgway f  says, 
"  recalls  that  of  the  Cardinal,  but  is  much  weaker,  and  its  ordinary  note 
is  a  soft  pchip,  somewhat  like  that  of  the  Pewee  (Sayornis  phoebe)" 
Inhabits  the  thick  undergrowth  of  low,  damp  and  boggy  woodland ;  in 
woods  and  well-sheltered  swamps  about  the  borders  of  forests  where 
skunk-cabbage  (Symplocarpus  foeditus)  and  spice-wood  bushes  (Benzoin 
odoriferum)  abound  there  you  mostly  will  find  these  active,  pugnacious 
and  secretive  songsters.  Like  the  Oven-bird,  this  warbler  nests  011  the 
ground,  and  although  the  bulky  nest  is  not  roofed  over,  it  is  equally  as 
difficult  to  discover  as  that  of  the  Oven-bird.  Ten  nests  which  I  have 
found  in  Chester,  Delaware  and  Clarion  counties,  have  all  been  built  in 
damp  situations  in  woods.  This  species  rarely,  if  ever,  I  think,  nests  on 
a  dry  hillside  as  the  Oven-bird  commonly  does. 

The  Kentucky  Warbler  is  a  very  common  summer  resident  in  differ- 
ent localities  in  southeastern  Pennsylvania,  being  almost  as  numerous 
as  the  Maryland  Yellow-throat,  for  which  bird  it  is  sometimes  mistaken, 

"Legs  yellow  in  dried  specimens,  but  in  freshly  killed  specimens  legs  are  pale  flesh  color,  or  light- 
brownish  flesh  color  ;  the  anterior  part  of  tarsus  is  darker  than  posterior  part.  Bill  distinctly  notched 
at  end  :  rictal  bristles  very  short  or  absent ;  tail  and  wings  without  spots  and  bands  or  bars  ;  eyes  brown. 
The  Connecticut  and  Kentucky  Warblers  (subgenus  Oporornis  of  Baird)  have  moderately  stout  and 
rather  lengthened  bills,  somewhat  depressed  at  base  and  rather  compressed,  particularly  in  Kentucky 
Warbler,  from  about  middle  to  end  ;  wings,  long  and  pointed,  considerably  longer  than  the  nearly  even 
or  slightly  rounded  tail  ;  first  primary  longest ;  tail-feathers  acuminate.  The  Maryland  Yellow-throat 
and  Mourning  Warbler  (subgenus  Geothlypis  of  Cabanis)  have  short  rounded  wings  ;  the  first  primary  is 
shorter  than  second,  third  and  fourth  quills  :  tail  long,  about  equal  to  wings,  and  graduated. 

tOru.  of  III.,  p.  166. 


Plate  73- 


1.  Carolina  Wren.  2.  Bay-breasted  Warbler. 

3.  Chestnut-sided  Warbler,  Males, 


BIHDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  297 

and  al  trough  occurring  in  nearly  all  parts  of  the  state  either  as  a  native 
or  during-  migrations  it  is  reported  to  be  quite  rare  in  many  of  the 
mountainous  districts.  Prof.  A.  Kock  has  never  met  with  it  in  Lycom- 
ing  county  and  Dr.  Yan  Fleet  has  observed  it  in  Clinton,  Clearfield  and 
Northumberland  counties  only  as  a  spring  and  autumnal  sojourner.  At 
all  times,  other  than  when  migrating,  these  birds  .are  found  near  water, 
such  as  small  streams,  ponds,  etc.,  in  secluded  forests  and  wooded 
thickets.  Feeds  on  different  forms  of  insect  life  and  occasionally  on 
berries. 

Geothlypis  agilis  (WILS  ). 

Connecticut  Warbler. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Length  about  5^  ;  extent  about  9  inches  ;  maxilla  brownish,  lower  mandible  paler ; 
upper  parts  olive-green  ;  sides  of  head  slightly  grayish  or  ashy  ;  chin,  throat  and 
breast  grayish-ashy  (in  a  specimen  before  me,  taken  in  fall,  the  chin,  throat  and 
breast  are  more  or  less  edged  with  rusty),  sides  very  similar  to  back  but  paler  ;  rest 
of  undv3r  parts  including  lower  tail-coverts  yellow  ;  whitish  ring  around  eye. 

Habitat.— Eastern  North  America,  breeding  north  of  the  United  States.  "Winter 
residence  unknown." 

The  Connecticut  Warbler  seems  to  have  been  met  with  by  but  few 
naturalists  or  collectors  in  the  western  or  central  portions  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. The  writer  shot  one  of  these  birds  in  September  in  Erie  county, 
where  Mr.  Sennett  has  observed  this  bird  as  a  migrant,  not  common. 
Dr.  Van  Fleet  has  found  it  in  Clinton  county  as  a  rare  migrant,  and 
Prof.  Eoddy  reports  it  as  migratory  in  Perry  and  Lancaster  counties. 
The  writer  has  never  seen  a  Connecticut  Warbler  anywhere  in  Pennsyl- 
vania during  the  spring  migration,  but  in  the  fall,  usually  in  Septem- 
ber, this  species  has  been  found  to  be  quite  common  in  bushy  swamps 
and  weedy  places  in  the  vicinity  of  streams  and  ponds  in  southeastern 
parts  of  the  State.  It  is  a  quiet  and  secretive  bird  and  as  it  frequents, 
almost  constantly,  the  ground  in  thick  weeds,  grasses  and  bushes  it  fre- 
quently escapes  observation.  Feeds  on  beetles,  larvae,  spiders,  snails 
and  sometimes  on  small  seeds  and  berries.  This  bird  "  breeds  in  Mani- 
toba *  and  probably  elsewhere  in  the  interior  of  British  America  "- 
(Ridgway). 

Geothlypis  Philadelphia  (Wiis.). 

Mourning  Warbler. 

DESCRIPTION. 

"  Wings  but  little  longer  than  the  tail,  reaching  but  little  beyond  its  base. 

"Adult  male.— Head  and  neck  all  round,  with  throat  forepart  of  breast,  ash-gray, 
paler  beneath.  The  feathers  of  the  chin,  throat  and  fore  breast  in  reality  black,  but 
with  narrow  ashy  margins  more  or  less  concealing  the  black,  except  on  the  breast. 

•See  article  in  Auk.,  April,  1884.  pages  192-193,  by  Mr.  Ernest  E.  T.  Seton. 


298  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


Lores  and  region  about  the  eye  dusky,  without  any  trace  of  a  pale  ring.  Upper 
parts  and  sides  of  body  clear  olive-green;  the  under  parts  bright  yellow.  Tail- 
feathers  uniform  olive ;  first  primary  with  the  outer  half  of  the  outer  web  nearly 
white. 

"  Female  with  the  gray  of  the  crown  glossed  with  olive  ;  the  chin  and  throat  paler 
centrally,  and  tinged  with  fulvous  ;  a  dull  whitish  ring  round  the  eye.  Length  5.50 ; 
wing  2. 45;  tail  2.25. "—From  Orn.  of  III. 

Habitat. — Eastern  North  America  to  the  plains,  breeding  from  the  higher  mount- 
ainous portions  of  Pennsylvania,  New  England  and  New  York,  and  northern 
Michigan,  northward.  Central  America  and  northern  South  America  in  winter. 

The  Mourning-  Warbler  breeds  regularly  in  a  few  secluded  mountain- 
ous districts  of  Pennsylvania.  During-  migrations  is  found  very  gener- 
ally throughout  the  state,  but  in  all  localities  is  reported  to  be  rare. 
Mr.  Otto  Behr  informs  me  that  the  Mourning-  Warbler  breeds  regularly 
in  the  mountainous  regions  of  Sullivan  county,  and  Dr.  Van  Fleet  has 
observed  as  a  native  about  Renovo,  in  Clinton  county.  Frequents 
thickets  and  undergrowth ;  two  specimens  obtained  by  the  writer  were 
both  shot  in  brush  piles  along  the  edge  of  a  swampy  thicket.  This 
warbler  arrives  here  usually  from  the  15th  to  the  20th  of  May.  Food 
of  two  birds  examined  by  the  writer  consisted  of  beetles  and  spiders. 


Goethlypis  trichas  (LINN.). 

Maryland  Yellow-throat. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  42). 

Length  of  male  about  5£  ;  extent  about  1{ ;  female  rather  smaller  ;  bill  back  ;  legs 
pale-brown. 

Male,  in  summer.— Above  olive-green  ;  forehead  and  a  broad  band  through  the 
eyes  and  on  side  of  neck  pure  black,  bordered  posteriorly  with  ashy  ;  chin,  throat, 
breast,  under-cbverts,  and  edge  of  wing  bright  yellow,  fading  into  a  dull  buff-white 
on  belly  ;  wings  and  tail,  glossed  with  yellowish-olive. 

Female,  in  summer.— Colors  duller  ;  less  yellow  on  under  parts  ;  no  black  or  ashy 
head  markings  ;  top  of  head,  especially  forehead,  reddish-brown.  The  young  gen- 
erally resemble  the  female,  but  young  males  may  usually  be  known  by  indistinct 
black  feathers  on  sides  of  head,  though  feathers  of  forehead  are  quite  similar  to 
those  of  female. 

Habitat. — Eastern  United  States,  mainly  east  of  the  Alleghanies,  north  to  Ontario 
and  Xova  Scotia,  breoding  from  Georgia,  northward.  In  winter,  south  Atlantic  and 
Gulf  States  and  the  West  Indies. 

The  Maryland  Yellow-throat  is  an  exceedingly  abundant  summer  res- 
ident from  about  May  1st  to  the  latter  part  of  September.  During 
migrations,  particularly  in  the  spring,  it  often  visits  apple  trees  to  seek, 
among  the  leaves  and  blossoms,  for  numerous  small  insects.  Frequents, 
especially,  thickets,  tangled  underbrush,  brush-piles  and  high  weeds, 
generally  near  streams  or  swampy  places.  Its  voice  is  rather  loud,  yefc 
its  song  is  not  unmusical. 

This  species  builds  a  rather  large  cup-shaped  nest  of  leaves  and  dried 
grasses,  usually  carefully  concealed  in  a  tussock  of  grass,  among  weeds, 
or  at  the  base  of  low  bushes,  commonly  in  low  and  moist  situations. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  299 

The  eggs,  mostly  five,  are  white,  finely  speckled,  usually  about  the 
larger  end,  with  black  and  brown.  They  measure  about  .70  by  .50  of  an 
inch.  The  Maryland  Yellow-throat  feeds  on  numerous  kinds  of  small 
insects  and  larvae. 


GENUS  ICTERIA  VIEILLOT. 
Icteria  virens  (LiNN.). 

Yellow-breasted  Chat. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  96). 

Length  about  7|  ;  extent  about  10  inches ;  wings  rounded  and  shorter  than  tail, 
which  measures  about  3j  inches  in  length  ;  bill  rather  long  (measuring  along  gape 
about  three-quarters  of  an  inch),  stout,  higher  than  broad  at  base  ;  ridge  of  upper 
mandible  and  commissure  much  curved.  Birds  of  this  genus  are  the  largest  of  the 
family.  Upper  parts  olive-green  ;  chin,  throat,  chest,  breast  and  inside  of  wings 
bright  gamboge-yellow  ;  lower  part  of  belly  and  under  tail-coverts  white;  eye-lids, 
line  under  lower  jaw  and  a  stripe  above  the  black  lores,  white.  Bill  black  ;  feet  lead 
•color. 

Habitat.—  Eastern  United  States  to  the  plains,  north  to  Ontario  and  southern  New 
England,  south,  in  winter,  to  eastern  Mexico  and  Guatemala. 

The  Yellow-breasted  Chat  arrives  in  Pennsylvania  about  the  first  week 
in  May,  and  remains  until  about  the  20th  of  September.  Although  this 
bird  is  an  abundant  summer  resident  in  briery  thickets  and  tangled  un- 
dergrowth, in  open  woods  or  along  the  edges  of  woods,  it  is  much 
oftener  heard  than  seen.  When  migrating  this  bird  skulks  silently 
about  bushes  and  thickets,  but  when  he  locates  for  the  summer  he  be- 
comes one  of  the  most  noisy  inhabitants  of  the  place.  Often  when 
perched  in  a  tree  top  near  his  favorite  retreats  his  song  is  not  unpleas- 
ant, but  if  his  domain  is  invaded  by  a  human  being  he  flies  into  the 
bushes  and  greets  the  intruder  with  a  most  varied  medley  of  whistling, 
•cackling,  whispering,  uncouth  guttural  sounds,  yet  all  the  time  remains 
hidden,  and  as  he  continually  shifts  his  position  it  is  often  exceedingly 
difficult  to  detect  him,  even  though  he  continues  his  varied  sounds. 
By  remaining  perfectly  quiet  you  generally  can  catch  a  glimpse  of  his 
bright  eye  and  yellow  breast,  or  see  his  white  crissum  as  he  turns  in 
the  tangled  leafy  shrubbery.  The  nest,  composed  of  leaves,  grapevine 
bark  and  grasses,  is  built  usually  in  briery  thickets.  The  eggs,  four 
or  five  in  number,  are  white,  marked  with  reddish-brown.  They  meas- 
ure a  little  less  than  one  inch  in  length  and  a  trifle  over  three-quarters 
wide.  The  Chat  feeds  chiefly  on  different  forms  of  insect  life.  He  also 
subsists  on  wild  strawberries,  blackberries,  raspberries,  whortleberries 
and  small  wild  grapes. 


300  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

* 

GENUS  SYLVANIA*  NUTTALL. 
Sylvania  mitrata  (GMEL.). 

Hooded  Warbler. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  98,  male). 

Length  about  65 ;  extent  about  8§ ;  bill  (dried  skins)  dark  brownish-black. 

Male. — Forehead  back  to  middle  of  eye,  a  streak  above  and  behind  eye  and  a 
large  patch  from  base  of  lower  mandible  extending  back  over  ears,  bright  yellow  ; 
top  of  head,  chin,  large  throat  patch  enclosing  yellow  auricular  patch,  continuous, 
with  that  of  head,  all  deep  black  ;  rest  of  under  parts  yellow  ;  inner  webs  of  three 
outer  parts  of  tail-feathers  white. 

Female  similar  to  male,  but  black  much  less  distinct,  sometimes  entirely  absent. 

Habitat. — Eastern  United  States,  west  to  the  plains,  north  and  east  to  Michigan, 
southern  New  York,  and  southern  New  England.  In  winter,  West  Indies,  eastern 
Mexico  and  Central  America. 

Summer  resident  from  early  in  May  until  about  middle  of  Septem- 
ber ;  tolerably  common  in  some  localities  and  rare  in  other  sections. 
A  nest  with  young  of  the  Hooded  Warbler  was  found  some  few  years 
ago  in  Chester  county,  where  this  species  is  usually  observed  as  a  rare 
migrant.  The  late  Prof.  S.  F.  Baird  noted  this  handsome  and  active  bird 
as  a  regular  summer  resident  in  the  higlands  of  Cumberland  county. 
Reports  received  from  the  following-named  gentlemen  show  that  the 
species  breeds  regularly  in  a  number  of  localities  in  our  state.  Lycom- 
ing  county  (A.  Kock)-,  Lancaster  county,  breeds  occasionally  (Dr.  A.  C. 
TreicMer) ;  Clinton,  Clearfield  and  Northumberland  counties  (Dr.  Van 
Fleet) ;  Erie  county  (George  B.  Sennett) ;  Perry  and  Centre  counties  (H. 
J.  Roddy).  I  have  shot  specimens  of  this  species  during  the  summer 
months  in  the  counties  of  Elk,  Cameron,  Somerset,  Susquehanna, 
Wayne,  Schuylkill,  Blair  and  Cambria,  where  doubtless  these  birds  an- 
nually rear  their  young.  Frequents  usually  secluded  places  in  high 
damp  woods,  or  thickets  in  close  proximity  to  streams.  Food  consists 
chiefly  of  beetles,  larvae,  aphides  and  spiders  and  occasionally,  I  think^ 
it  feeds  on  berries.  I  believe  berries  are  sometimes  eaten,  because  I 
have  taken  two  specimens  in  the  late  summer  which  were  more  or  less, 
stained  about  the  head  with  what  appeared  to  be  berry-juice. 

Sylvania  pusilla  (WiLS.). 

Wilson's  Warbler. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Length  about  4^ ;  extent  about  6f  ;  top  of  head  black  ;  forehead  line  over  eye  and  en- 
tire under  parts  bright  yellow  ;  sides  of  body  and  sides  of  head  same  color  as  back, 

*  Bill  broad  and  depressed  ;  distinctly  notched  near  end  ;  culmen  and  commissure  about  straight  to 
near  the  tip  of  maxilla  which  is  slightly  curved  ;  rictal  bristles  long  and  conspicuous  ;  wings  longer  than 
nearly  even  or  slightly  rounded  tail  ;  wings  unmarked;  eyes  brown;  legs  (dried  skins)  pale  brownish- 
yellow. 


Plate  74. 


Wild  Turkey. 
Male. 


BIRQS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  301 

but  much  paler ;  upper  parts  except  as  previously  mentioned  olive-green;  wings 
and  tail  brownish  and  without  any  white.  F.emale  and  young  similar  but  duller  ; 
the  black-cap  in  some  fall  specimens  is  entirely  wanting.  Maxilla  (dried  skin) 
brownish-black  ;  mandible  pale  yellowish. 

Habitat.— Eastern  North  America,  west  to  and  including  the  Rocky  mountains, 
north  to  Hudson's  Bay  territory  and  Alaska.  Breeds  chiefly  north  of  the  United 
States,  migrating  south  to  eastern  Mexico  and  Central  America. 

Wilson's  Warbler  or  Wilson's  Black-cap  as  it  is  generally  called, 
occurs  in  Pennsylvania  as  a  regular,  but  not  common,  spring-  and  fall  mi- 
grant. Arrives  here  usually  about  the  middle  of  May  and  returns  again 
in  September.  Frequents  undergrowth  in  woods  and  thickets.  Feeds 
on  spiders,  larvae,  flies,  aphides,  etc. 


Sylvania  canadensis  (LINN.). 

Canadian  Warbler. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Length  about  5f  ;  extent  about  85  ;  maxilla  brownish-black  ;  mandible  and  legs 
pale  flesh  color  ;  no  white  on  wings  or  tail ;  top  of  head  black,  quite  uniform  on 
forehead,  but  rest  of  black  feathers  of  crown  are  extensively  edged  with  the  bluish 
ash  of  rest  of  upper  parts  ;  ring  around  eye,  and  a  streak  from  nostrils  to  eye  yel- 
low ;  chin,  upper  part  of  throat,  lower  part  of  breast  and  abdomen  immaculate  yel- 
low ;  the  black  lores  unite  with  a  black  patch  under  eyes,  which  is  continuous  with 
black  on  sides  of  neck,  and  thence  extending  across  the  forebreast  in  a  showy  series 
of  black  spots.  Female  and  young  similar  but  duller,  the  black  markings  in  former 
are  much  duller  and  are  absent  on  forehead  ;  the  young  males  in  the  fall  some- 
times have  little  or  no  black  on  breast. 

Habitat.— Eastern  North  America,  westward  to  the  plains,  and  north  to  New- 
foundland, southern  Labrador,  and  Lake  Winnipeg,  south,  in  winter,  to  Central 
America  and  northern  South  America. 

The  Canadian  Warbler  occurs  throughout  Pennsylvania  as  a  common 
migrant  in  the  spring  and  fall ;  arrives  about  the  10th  of  May  and  when 
migrating  southward  is  again  seen  in  September.  This  beautiful  bird 
so  conspicuous  in  his  suit  of  ashy-blue  and  yellow  with  black  head  dress 
and  a  showy  black  necklace,  breeds  sparingly  in  some  of  our  secluded 
mountainous  regions,  viz :  Lycoming  county  (Kock),  Cumberland  county 
(Baird),  Clinton  county  ( Van  Fleet),  McKean  county  (J.  A.  Teulori), 
Centre  county  (Roddy).  The  Canadian  Warbler  sometimes  visits  or- 
chards, trees  and  shrubbery  about  houses,  but  usually  he  frequents  for- 
ests and  is  seen  commonly  on  the  lower  branches  of  trees  or  in  bushes, 
actively  engaged  in  catching  spiders,  flies,  small  beetles  and  other 
kinds  of  insects. 


302  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

GENUS  SETOPHAGA  SWAINSON 
Setophaga  ruticilla  (LiNN.). 

American  Redstart. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  43}. 

Length  about  5| ;  extent  about  8  inches  ;  bill  and  legs  black. 

Male. — Prevailing,  color  glossy  black;  the  belly  and  under  tail-coverts  white; 
sides  of  breast,  large  space  at  base  of  quills  and  basal  half  of  tail-feathers,  except 
middle  pair  which  are  black  on  inner  webs,  and  axillaries  orange  red ;  sides  and 
belly  often  tinged  with  orange-red  ;  terminal  third  of  tail  and  wings,  except  as  de- 
scribed previously,  blackish. 

"  Female  with  the  black  replaced  by  grayish-olive  above,  by  brownish-white  be- 
neath ;  the  head  tinged  with  ash  ;  a  grayish-white  lore  and  ring  round  the  eye ; 
the  red  of  the  male  replaced  by  yellow."  Young  male  similar  to  adult  female  but 
browner  above,  the  yellow  more  of  a  reddish  hue  ;  immature  males  are  often  seen 
with  glossy  black  feathers  singly  or  in  patches.  Two  or  three  years  are,  it  is  said, 
required  before  this  bird  gains  its  perfect  plumage. 

Habitat.—  North  America,  north  to  Fort  Simpson,  west  regularly  to  the  Great 
Basin,  casually  to  the  Pacific  coast,  breeding  from  the  middle  portion  of  the  United 
States  northward.  In  winter,  the  West  Indies,  and  from  southern  Mexico  through 
Central  America  to  northern  South  America. 

The  Redstart  during-  migrations — May  and  September — is  abundant 
and  very  generally  distributed  throughout  the  state.  Although  found 
in  all  sections  of  our  commonwealth  as  a  summer  resident,  as  such  it 
is  much  more  numerous  in  the  northern  parts  and  mountainous  regions 
than  elsewhere.  In  the  counties  of  Erie,  Crawford,  Ly coming-,  Blair,  Cen- 
tre, Sullivan,  Potter,  McKean,  and  in  fact  in  nearly  all  the  hig-her  moun- 
tainous regions,  it  is  a  rather  common  breeder,  but  in  Chester,  Dela- 
ware, Bucks  and  Lancaster  counties  it  is  seldom  found  breeding-.  Fre- 
quents chiefly  forests,  but  often,  in  company  with  other  warblers,  visits 
fruit  and  shade  trees  about  houses,  lawns  and  parks.  The  male,  in  his 
showy  dress  of  black,  fiery  orang-e  and  white,  is  one  of  the  most  attrac- 
tive inhabitants  of  the  woods.  Like  a  flycatcher,  he  darts  from  his 
perch  with  clicking  bill  to  secure  flying-  insects.  In  addition  to  their 
sharp  and  rapid  song,  these  birds  when  hopping  about  the  trees,  fre- 
quently spread  their  tails ;  this  peculiar  habit  of  opening  and  closing 
the  tail  will  often  aid  you  in  recognizing  a  Redstart,  in  the  tops  of  high 
trees,  when  it  otherwise  might  be  unknown.  The  nest,  a  compact,  cup  - 
shaped  structure,  composed  of  various  vegetable  fibers,  spiders'  webs, 
and  horse  hair,  is  built  in  the  fork  or  on  the  horizontal  limb  of  a  small 
tree,  six  to  twenty-five  feet  from  the  ground.  The  eggs,  mostly  four, 
are  grayish-white  or  light  greenish-white,  thinly  speckled  or  blotched 
with  brown  and  purplish.  They  measure  about  .63  long  by  .50  wide. 
The  Redstart  feeds  exclusively  on  an  insect  diet,  consisting  chiefly  of 
flies,  spiders,  plant-lice,  butterflies,  beetles  and  different  larvae. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  303 

FAMILY  MOTACILLID-ffi.    WAGTAILS. 

GENUS  ANTHUS  BECHSTEIN. 
Anthus  pensilvanicus  (LATH.). 

American  Pipit ;  Brown  Lark ;  Titlark. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Bill  slender  and  acute,  slightly  notched  at  end  ;  few  short  bristles  about  gape ; 
nostrils  naked  ;  hind  claw  very  long,  slender,  curved  and  sharp  pointed  ;  wings 
long  and  pointed,  the  point  being  formed  by  first  four  primaries;  some  tertial 
feathers  are  only  a  little  shorter  than  longest  primaries  ;  base  of  lower  mandible 
(dried  skins)  pale  brownish  yellow;  rest  of  bill,  also  legs  and  feet  dark  brown; 
eyes  brown,  above  grayish  brown  with  a  more  or  less  tinge  of  olive-green  ;  some 
feathers  of  back  and  pileum  have  dusky  centers  ;  central  pair  of  tail-feathers  shorter 
than  the  other  rectrices,  and  quite  similar  but  somewhat  darker  than  back ;  outer 
pair  of  tail-feathers  mostly  white,  and  next  pair  of  lateral  tail-feathers  have  white 
spot  at  end  ;  rest  of  tail  blackish  ;  ring  round  eye.  and  a  streak" about  it,  pale  yellow- 
ish-white ;  chin  and  throat  whitish  ;  under  tail-coverts,  middle  of  abdomen  and 
lower  part  of  breast  brownish-yellow;  jugulum,  sides  of  breast  and  body  pale 
brownish-yellow  streaked  .with  dusky.  Length  about  6|  ;  extent  about  11  inches. 

Habitat. — North  America  at  large,  breeding  in  the  higher  parts  of  the  Rocky 
mountains  and  subarctic  districts,  and  wintering  in  the  Gulf  States,  Mexico  and 
Central  America. 

The  Titlark  is  a  common  spring-  and  fall  migrant,  arriving  here  usu- 
ally about  the  first  week  in  October,  and  remaining-  generally  until  about 
the  middle  of  November ;  occasionally  small  parties  of  these,  shy  queru- 
lous-voiced birds  are  seen  as  winter  residents  in  our  southern  counties. 
When  migrating  northward  this  species  again  makes  its  appearance 
about  the  middle  of  April,  and  oftentimes  a  few  scattered  individuals 
are  found  about  plowed  grounds  or  along  pools  and  other  wet  places  in 
fields,  meadows,  etc.,  as  late  as  the  middle  of  May.  Titlarks',  during- 
their  stay  with  us,  are  usually  seen  in  flocks  of  from  ten  to  twenty  or 
forty  each,  but  at  times  larger  flocks  (one  hundred  or  two  hundred  each) 
may  be  observed.  These  birds  sometimes  alight  on  fences  or  on  the 
dead  limbs  of  trees,  but  usually  they  are  seen,  when  not  flying-,  on  the 
ground,  as  Mr.  Eidgway  writes  *  they  move  "  with  a  graceful  gliding-  walk, 
tilting  the  body  and  wagging-  the  tail  at  each  step,  much  in  the  manner 
of  a  Seiurus.  It  is  very  restless,  the  flocks  seldom  remaining  long-  at  one 
place,  but  soon  taking  wing,  they  flit  to  another  spot,  or  in  graceful 
sweeps  pass  and  repass  over  a  particular  place  before  alig-hting."  In 
this  region  I  have  noticed  tha-t  the  Titlarks  are  nearly  always  to  be  found 
frequenting  plowed  fields,  where  they  collect  insects,  and  their  larvae  as 
well  as  small  seeds  on  which  they  feed. 

*  Ornithology  of  Illinois,  p.  111. 


304  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

FAMILY  TROGLODYTID^!.    WKENS,  THKASHERS,  ETC. 

SUBFAMILY  MIMIN.5J.     THRASHERS. 

THE  THRASHERS. 

Three  species  of  Thrashers  are  found  in  this  commonwealth.  These  birds,  as  Dr. 
Coues  remarks,  "resemble  wrens  as  much  as  thrushes,  habitually  residing  in  shrub- 
bery near  the  ground,  relying  for  concealment  as  much  upon  the  nature  of  their 
resorts  as  upon  their  own  activity  and  vigilance."  The  common  Brown  Thrush  or 
Brown  Mockingbird,  as  it  is  known  to  many,  and  the  familiar  Catbird  are  abundant 
summer  residents  throughout  the  state.  Individuals  of  both  these  species  some- 
times are  seen  during  the  early  part  of  winter  in  our  southern  counties.  The  Mock- 
ingbird, a  southern  species,  is  a  rare  summer  resident  in  a  few  localities  in  the 
southern  parts  of  Pennsylvania,  but  as  this  plainly  attired,  yet  exquisite  vocalist,  is 
a  common  cage-bird  he  is  likewise  one  of  our  best  known  birds.  These  birds  are  all 
noted  for  the  melody  of  their  song,  and  they  also,  especially  the  Mockingbird, 
possess  wonderful  powers  of  mimicry.  Birds  of  this  group  feed  largely  on  various 
kinds  of  destructive  insects;  they  also  subsist  to  a  considerable  extent  on  various 
kinds  of  small  fruits ;  and  the  Catbird's  taste  for  grapes,  strawberries,  etc.,  is  such 
that  he  has  incurred  the  enmity  of  many  farmers  and  fruitgrowers. 

GENUS  MIMUS  BOIE. 
Mimus  polyglottos  (LiNN.). 

Mockingbird . 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  99). 

Bill  distinctly  notched  and  slightly  curved  at  tip  of  maxilla.  Tail  much  longer 
than  wing.  Length  about  10§,  extent  about  14|  ;  female  smaller  ;  iris  yellowish  ; 
bill  and  legs  (dried  skins)  brownish-black.  Above  grayish  (some  specimens  have 
slight  brownish  tint  on  middle  of  back),  below  whitish,  slightly  grayish  on  breast  ; 
three  outer  pairs  of  tail-feathers  more  or  less  white ;  rest  of  tail  and  also  wings 
blackish,  but  wings  have  two  white  bars,  and  a  large  patch  of  same  at  base  of  pri- 
maries. 

Habitat.—  United  States,  south  into  Mexico.  Rare  from  New  Jersey,  the  Valley 
of  the  Ohio,  Colorado  and  California  northward. 

Irregular  and  rare  summer  resident,  arrives  here  about  the  1st  of  May, 
and  departs  about  the  middle  of  October.  A  few  birds  of  this  species 
breed  regularly  in  the  southeastern  parts  of  Pennsylvania,  near  the 
Delaware  and  Maryland  State  lines.  Some  thirty  years  ago  several 
pairs  of  Mockingbirds,  according  to  Mr.  B.  M.  Everhart,  the  well-known 
botanist  and  naturalist,  annually  reared  their  young  near  the  suburbs  of 
West  Chester,  Chester  county,  where,  for  the  past  ten  or  fifteen  years, 
this  bird  has  been  observed  only  as  a  casual  visitant.  Solitary  Mock- 
ingbirds have,  at  irregular  intervals,  been  taken  in  the  late  spring,  sum- 
mer, fall  and  early  winter  months  in  different  parts  of  the  state,  but 
some  of  these  birds  which  I  have  had  the  privilege  of  examining  were 
evidently  escaped  cage-birds.  The  Mockingbird  builds  a  bulky  nest  of 
small  sticks,  weeds,  pieces  of  string,  cotton,  etc.,  in  thick  bushes,  low 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYL  VANIA.  305 

trees,  hedge-rows,  etc.  The  eggs,  usually  five  in  number,  are  pale  green- 
ish-blue, spotted  and  blotched  with  different  shades  of  brown.  These 
birds  feed  largely  on  coleopterous  insects,  larvae  and  other  insects,  and 
they  also  eat  various  kinds  of  small  berries. 


GENUS  GALEOSCOPTES  CABANIS. 
Galeoscoptes  carolinensis  (LiNN.). 

Catbird. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  72}. 

Length  about  9 ;  extent  about  11§  inches;  bill  and  feet  black;  iris  brown;  pre- 
vailing color  dark  slate,  somewhat  lighter  beneath  ;  top  of  head  and  tail  black  ; 
under  tail-coverts  chestnut.  The  adult  female  is  rather  smaller  than  the  male,  and 
the  young  are  duller  in  color,  with  little  or  no  black  on  crown  ;  under  parts  paler ; 
under  tail-coverts  dull  reddish. 

Habitat. — Eastern  United  States  and  British  provinces,  west  to  and  including  the 
Kocky  mountains ;  occasional  on  the  Pacific  coast.  Winters  in  the  Southern  States, 
Cuba  and  middle  America  to  Panama  ;  accidental  in  Europe. 

This  well-known  bird  is  a  common  summer  resident  from  the  last 
week  in  April  to  about  November  1.  The  Catbird  frequents  all  locali- 
ties, but  is  probably  most  numerous  in  briery  thickets  and  tangled  un- 
dergrowth near  streams  and  ponds.  Its  bulky  nest,  constructed  of 
dead  twigs,  roots,  to  which  are  often  added  dried  leaves  or  grasses,  is 
built  mostly  in  bushes.  The  eggs,  usually  four,  are  deep  greenish-blue 
and  unspotted.  They  measure  a  little  less  than  an  inch  long,  and  a 
trifle  under  three-quarters  wide.  These  birds,  like  some  other  members 
of  the  family,  subsist  largely  on  different  kinds  of  small  fruits  and  ber- 
ries. In  the  early  summer  the  Catbird  feeds  on  cherries  and  strawber- 
ries ;  later  in  the  season,  mulberries,  blackberries  and  raspberries.  Late 
in  the  summer  and  in  the  autumn  he  subsists  mainly  on  berries  of  the 
spicewood  and  poke-plant,  and  also  different  varieties  of  both  cultivated 
and  wild  grapes.  This  species,  in  the  spring,  especially  in  May,  and 
also  when  breeding,  feeds  to  a  considerable  extent  on  various  "  worms," 
beetles,  flies,  spiders,  etc.  The  Catbird,  so  called  because  its  sharp  and 
petulant  cry  which  is  not  unlike  the  mewing  of  a  cat,  is  one  of  our  most 
gifted  and  delightful  songsters. 


GENUS  HARPORHYNCHUS  CABANIS. 
Harporh.ynch.us  rufus  (LiNN.). 

Brown  Thrasher ;  Brown  Thrush. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  44). 

Length  about  11^  inches  ;  extent  about  13  inches  ;   tail  5  or  6  inches  ;  bill  black  with 
base  of  lower  mandible  yellow  ;  legs  pale  brown  ;  iris  of  adult  yellow  ;  iris  of  young 

20  BIRDS. 


306  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

brown  ;  upper  parts  reddish-brown  ;  greater  wing-coverts  edged  with,  and  middle 
lower  parts,  white  ;  breast,  sides  and  crissum  strongly  tinged  with  reddish-brown  ; 
breast,  sides  and  flanks  conspicuously  spotted  with  dark  brown. 

Habitat.— Eastern  United  States,  west  to  Rocky  mountains,  north  to  southern 
Maine,  Ontario  and  Manitoba,  south  to  the  Gulf  States,  including  eastern  Texas. 
Accidental  in  Europe. 

Common  summer  resident  from  about  April  20  to  late  in  September. 
The  Brown  Thrush,  as  this  bird  is  usually  called,  is  found  in  thickets 
and  shrubbery ;  he  frequently,  especially  in  the  morning-  and  evening-, 
repairs  to  the  tops  of  trees,  where,  for  hours  at  a  time,  he  sings  his  varied 
and  beautiful  song.  Like  our  common  domestic  fowls,  he  frequently 
may  be  seen  scratching  among  the  dead  leaves  or  dusting  himself  by 
the  roadside.  He  sometimes  visits  fields,  where  corn  is  being  planted, 
to  pick  up  the  scattered  grains  of  maize,  and  some  farmers  assert  that 
he  often  "pulls  up  corn  "  when  it  first  appears  above  the  ground.  This 
species  breeds  usually  in  low  bushes,  in  briery  thickets,  sometimes  on 
the  tops  of  old  stumps  covered  with  thick  vines ;  very  rarely,  with  us, 
do  they  build  on  the  ground.  The  nest  is  a  loose  and  bulky  structure 
composed  of  small  twigs,  strips  of  bark,  leaves,  rootlets,  etc.  The  eggs, 
four  or  five  in  number,  are  a  light  greenish  or  buffy  color,  thickly 
speckled  with  reddish  brown.  They  are  a  little  more  than  an  inch  long, 
and  about  three-quarters  wide. 

Although  these  birds  are  generally  shy  and  retiring,  they  will,  if  their 
eggs  or  young  are  disturbed,  display  great  bravery  in  defending  them. 
They  will  fly  violently  into  a  person's  face  and  strike  with  both  bill  and 
claws.  When  their  home  is  invaded  by  a  black  snake,  they  assail  such 
intruder  in  a  most  vigorous  manner.  I  once  saw  a  dog,  which  had 
upset  a  nest  containing  young  thrushes,  forced  to  make  a  speedy  retreat 
when  attacked  by  the  old  birds,  who  flew  at  his  head  and  struck  him  in 
the  eyes.  The  Brown  Thrush  feeds  chiefly  on  insects,  berries  and  small 
seeds.  The  following-  interesting-  remarks  concerning  this  species  are 
taken  from  Audubon's  Birds  of  America,  Vol.  Ill :  "  My  friend  Bach- 
man  who  has  raised  many  of  these  bilds,  has  favored  me  with  the  fol- 
lowing particulars  respecting  them :  *  Though  good-humored  towards 
the  person  who  feeds  them,  they  are  always  savage  towards  all  other 
kinds  of  birds.  I  placed  three  sparrows  in  the  cage  of  a  Thrush  one 
evening,  and  found  them  killed,  as  well  as  nearly  stripped  of  their  feath- 
ers, the  next  morning.  So  perfectly  gentle  did  this  bird  become,  that 
when  I  opened  its  cage,  it  would  follow  me  about  the  yard  and  garden. 
The  instant  it  saw  me  take  a  spade  or  a  hoe,  it  would  follow  at  my  heels, 
and,  as  I  turned  up  the  earth,  would  pick  up  every  insect  or  worm  thus 
exposed  to  its  view.  I  kept  it  for  three  years,  and  its  affection  for  me 
at  last  cost  it  its  life.  It  usually  slept  on  the  back  of  a  chair  in  my 
study,  and  one  night  the  door  being  accidentally  left  open,  it  was  killed 
by  a  cat.  I  once  knew  of  a  few  of  these  birds  to  remain  the  whole  of  a 
mild  winter  in  the  State  of  New  York  in  a  wild  state."' 


Plate  75. 


Orchard  Oriole. 

1,  2,  Mies:  3.  Female. 


BIRDS  'OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  307 

T.  M.  Brewer,  writing-  of  this  Thrush,  says:  "I  found  a  nest  contain- 
ing- three  eggs,  which  I  removed,  leaving-  in  their  place  three  Robin's 
eggs,  and  retired  to  wait  the  issue.  In  a  few  moments  the  female  ap- 
proached, gave  the  contents  of  the  nest  a  hasty  survey,  and  immediately 
flew  off.  She  returned  in  a  short  time  in  company  with  her  mate,  and 
both  flew  to  the  nest  apparently  in  the  greatest  rage,  took  each  an  egg- 
in  their  claws,  and  dashed  it  against  the  ground  at  a  distance  of  more 
than  a  rod  from  the  nest,  the  female  repeating  the  same  to  the  other 
egg.  This  done,  they  continued  for  some  time  to  vent  their  rage  on  the 
broken  eggs,  tossing  them  about,  and  at  the  same  time  manifesting 
their  displeasure  in  every  possible  way.  They  afterwards  forsook  the 
nest." 


SUBFAMILY  TROGLODYTES.     WRENS. 
THE  WRENS. 

Thirteen  species,  also  "  six  geographical  forms  "  and  one  "local  race"  of  this  sub- 
family are  recorded  in  the  fauna  of  the  United  States.  Of  these  twenty  species  and 
varieties,  but  six  species  are  found  in  Pennsylvania.  The  House  Wren,  Bewick's 
Wren,  also  the  Marsh  Wrens  are  found  here  only  as  summer  residents.  The  Caro- 
lina Wren  is  most  abundant  in  the  summer;  though  commonly  during  mild  win- 
ters individuals  of  this  species  are  seen  in  the  southern  parts  of  the  state.  The  Win- 
ter Wren  breeds  sparingly  in  the  more  northern  and  mountainous  portions  of  this 
commonwealth,  and  during  the  winter  months  is  very  generally  distributed  through- 
out the  lower  third  of  the  state.  Wrens  are  plainly  attired,  different  shades  of 
brown  being  the  prevailing  color.  These  small,  musical,  active  and  quarrelsome 
birds  are  usually  seen  with  the  tail  erect.  They  hide  in  thickets,  weeds  and  grasses, 
holes  in  trees  or  rocks,  also  in  boxes,  and  manifest  "a  fondness  for  prying  into  holes 
and  dark  places."  Wrens  are  notorious  for  their  scolding  propensity,  and  in  this 
particular  they  are  not  unlike  some  females  of  the  human  race,  whose  chief  object 
in  life  it  would  appear  is  to  always  annoy  those  about  them.  In  writing  of  these 
birds,  Dr.  Coues  says:  "  They  are  sprightly,  fearless  and  impudent  little  creatures, 
apt  to  show  bad  temper  when  they  fancy  themselves  aggrieved  by  cats  or  people,  or 
anything  else  that  is  big  and  unpleasant  to  them."  Marsh  Wrens,  as  the  name 
would  indicate,  inhabit  marshes  or  swampy  places  along  rivers  ;  they  reside  also  in 
rank  vegetation  in  sloughs  and  ponds.  Long-billed  Marsh  Wrens  often  nest 
together  in  colonies,  and  construct  globular  nests,  with  small  openings  in  the  sides. 
These  nests,  suspended  in  herbage,  are  usually  about  a  foot  or  eighteen  inches  above 
the  water.  When  erecting  these  swaying  houses,  composed  of  coarse  grass  blades, 
dead  leaves,  lined  with  feathers  or  soft  vegetable  materials,  the  little  builders  are 
careful  to  fix  them  firmly  to  the  strong  coarse  grasses  or  stems  and  leaves  of  plants 
which  grow  high  above  the  water.  Their  eggs,  six  and  sometimes  ten  in  number, 
are  a  uniform  chocolate-brown  color.  The  Short-billed  Marsh  Wren  is  said  to  build 
a  nest  similar  to  that  of  the  Long-billed  species,  but  its  eggs  differ  from  those  of  all 
other  of  our  wrens,  in  being  white  and  unspotted.  The  other  of  our  native  wrens 
nest  in  holes  of  trees,  hollow  fence  rails,  or  in  logs  and  stumps,  in  shrubbery,  boxes 
and  '-various  odd  nooks  and  corners"  about  buildings.  Their  eggs  are  white,  spot- 
ted or  blotched  with  different  shades  of  brown.  The  eggs  of  the  largest  species 

Carolina  Wren— measure  about  .75  of  an  inch  long  and  about  .60  wide  ;  those  of 
other  wrens  are  smaller,  being  about  .68  long  by  .50  wide.  The  wrens  feed  entirely 
on  an  insect  diet 


308  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


GENUS  THRYOTHORUS  VIEILLOT. 
Thryothorus  ludovicianus  (LATH.). 

Carolina  Wren ;  Mocking  Wren  ;  Great  Carolina  Wren 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  73). 

Bill  about  as  long  as  head,  slender,  almost  straight,  except  at  tip  which  is  de- 
curved,  and  obsoletely  notched  ;  wings  and  tail  about  equal  in  length  ;  wings  are 
rounded  and  tail  is  nearly  even  ;  maxilla  (dried  skins)  brownish  ;  mandible  paler  ; 
legs  pale  yellowish- brown  ;  above  reddish-brown,  brightest  on  rump;  throat  and 
line  over  eye  whitish  ;  rest  of  lower  parts,  yellowish-brown  (decidedly  rusty  in 
some  individuals  and  paler  in  others)  becoming  darkest  on  flanks  and  tibiae  ;  lower 
tail-coverts  whitish  and  rusty  with  transverse  dusky  bars  ;  middle  and  greater  wing- 
coverts  usually  have  small  white  spots.  The  brownish  wings,  tail  (above)  and  upper 
tail-coverts  more  or  less  distinctly  barred  transversely  with  dusky. 

Length  about  6  inches ;  extent  about  1\  ;  eyes  brownish. 

Habitat. — Eastern  United  States  (rare  toward  the  northern  border),  west  to  the 
plains.  Rare  in  southern  New  England. 

The  Carolina,  the  largest  of  all  our  wrens,  is  a  resident,  and,  although 
reported  as  occurring  in  nearly  all  parts  of  the  state  except  in  the  higher 
mountainous  regions,  the  species  is  much  more  plentiful  in  the  lower  half 
of  the  state  than  in  the  northern  half.  In  some  parts  of  the  southeast 
and  southwestern  sections  of  Pennsylvania  this  shy,  secretive  and  gifted 
songster  is  quite  abundant.  The  Mocking  Wren,  as  many  term  this 
bird,  inhabits  almost  every  locality,  but  he  prefers  to  dwell  in  woodland, 
ravines  and  bushy  places  in  the  vicinity  of  water.  He  spends  much  of 
his  time  about  brush  piles,  old  logs  and  in  the  dead  tops  of  fallen  trees 
in  woods.  Like  the  Brown  Thrush,  or  Indigo-bird,  he  often  perches  in 
the  topmost  branch  of  a  tree  or  bush,  and  pours  forth  his  loud,  varied 
and  melodious  song.  When  feeding  these  birds  like  a  creeper,  may 
occasionally  be  observed  circling  about  trunks  of  trees  collecting  beetles, 
larvae  and  spiders,  from  the  crevices  of  the  rough  bark.  Often,  in  winter, 
this  species,  like  the  little  Winter  Wren,  comes  about  houses  and  can 
be  seen  hiding  in  wood-piles  or  prying  into  holes  and  other  dark  places 
about  buildings.  The  rather  bulky  nest,  of  leaves,  grasses,  feathers, 
moss,  etc.,  is  sometimes  in  the  interior  of  sheds  or  other  outbuildings, 
but  usually  it  constructs  its  nest  in  holes  in  stumps  or  logs,  in  secluded 
situations.  I  once  found  a  nest  with  young  in  a  hole  among  roots  of  a 
tree  in  the  side  of  a  bank  along  a  creek,  the  nest  was  situated  about 
three  feet  above  the  water.  The  eggs  are  usually  six  or  seven  in  num- 
ber. I  have  seen  this  bird  picking  at  grapes  in  the  late  fall  and  winter, 
possibly  he  sometimes  eats  small  fruits. 


BII&S  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  309 

Thryothorus  bewickii  (AuD.). 

Bewick's  Wren. 

DESCRIPTION. 

"Above  dark  rufous-brown  ;  rump  and  middle  tail-feathers  sometimes  a  little 
paler,  and  very  slightly  tinged  with  gray  and  together  with  the  exposed  surface  of 
secondaries  distinctly  barred  with  dusky.  Beneath  soiled  plumbeous-whitish  ; 
flanks  brown.  Crissum  banded  ;  ground  color  of  quills  and  tail-feathers  brownish- 
black.  Length  5.50;  wing  2.25  ;  tail  2.50.  Length  from  nostril  .39  ;  along  gape  .70." 
(Hist.  N.  Am.  B.) 

Habitat.— 'Eastern  United  States,  to  Eastern  Texas  and  the  eastern  border  of  the 
Plains  ;  north  to  New  Jersey  and  Minnesota. 

Hare  summer  resident  in  the  eastern  and  central  portions  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  not  reported  as  occurring'  in  any  of  the  northern  counties,  but 
in  some  of  the  southwestern  counties,  beyond  the  mountains,  it  is  said 
to  be  tolerably  frequent.  From  personal  observation  I  am  unable  to  give 
any  information  concerning1  this  species,  relative  to  which  the  following 
interesting  remarks  are  borrowed  from  Robert  Ridg-way's  Ornithology  of 
Illinois :  "  No  bird  more  deserves  the  protection  of  man  than  Bewick's 
Wren.  He  does  not  need  man's  encouragement,  for  he  comes  of  his  own 
accord  and  installs  himself  as  a  member  of  the  community  wherever  it 
suits  his  taste.  He  is  found  about  the  cow-shed  and  barn  along-  with  the 
Pewee  and  Barn  Swallow ;  he  investig-ates  the  pig--sty ;  then  explores 
the  g-arden  fence,  and  finally  mounts  to  the  roof  and  pours  forth  one  of 
the  sweetest  song-s  that  ever  was  heard.  Not  a  voluble  g-abble,  like  the 
House  Wren's  merry  roundelay,  but  a  fine,  clear,  bold  song-,  uttered  as 
the  sing-er  sits  with  head  thrown  back  and  long-  tail  pendent, — a  song 
which  may  be  heard  a  quarter  of  a  mile  or  more,  and  in  comparison 
with  which  the  faint  chant  of  the  Song-  Sparrow  sinks  into  insignifi- 
cance.  The  ordinary  note  is  a  soft  low  plit,  uttered  as  the  bird  hops 
about,  its  long-  tail  carried  erect  or  even  leaning-  forward,  and  jerked  to 
one  side  at  short  intervals.  In  its  movements  it  is  altogether  more  de- 
liberate than  either  T.  ludovicianus  or  T.  aedon,  but  nothing-  can  excel 
it  hi  quickness  when  it  is  pursued. 

"  The  nest  of  Bewick's  Wren  is  placed  in  all  sorts  of  odd  places.  Usu- 
ally it  is  in  a  mortise-hole  of  a  beam  or  joist,  or  some  well-concealed 
corner.  One  was  beneath  the  board  covering-  of  an  ash-hopper ;  another 
in  a  joint  of  stove  pipe  which  lay  horizontally  across  two  joists  in  the 
g-arret  of  a  smoke-house ;  a  third  was  behind  the  weather-boarding-  of 
an  ice-house,  while  a  fourth  was  in  the  bottom  of  the  conical  portion  of 
a  quail-net  that  had  been  hung  up  against  the  inner  side  of  a  buggy- 
shed.  None  of  these  nests  would  have  been  found  had  not  the  bird  been 
seen  to  enter.  The  nest  is  generally  very  bulky,  though  its  size  is  regu- 
lated by  that  of  the  cavity  in  which  it  is  placed.  Its  materials  consist 
of  sticks,  straw,  coarse  feathers,  fine  chips,  etc.,  matted  together  with 


310  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

spiders'  webs  and  lined  with  tow  and  soft  feathers  of  barnyard  fowls. 
The  eggs  are  usually  seven  to  nine  in  number,  but  occasionally  more, 
and  are  white,  rather  sparsely  speckled  round  the  larger  end  with  brown." 


GENUS  TROGLODYTES  VIEILLOT. 
Troglodytes  aedon  VIEILL. 

House  Wreii. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  45,). 

Length  about  4f  inches  ;  extent  about  6| ;  bill,  legs  and  eyes  brown,  above  brown, 
rusty  on  rump  and  tail ;  lower  parts  dull  brownish-white  or  grayish-white  ;  more  or 
less  waved  or  barred  with  darker  shades  ;  back  very  obscurely  or  not  at  all  barred. 

Habitat.— Eastern  United  States  and  southern  Canada,  west  to  Indiana  and 
Louisiana. 

Common  summer  resident.  Arrives  here  usually  about  April  20,  and 
remains  until  about  the  1st  of  October.  In  Washington  county  Messrs. 
Compton,  Warrick  and  Nease  record  this  species  as  a  rare  summer  resident. 
The  common  representative  of  this  group  in  Washington  county  is  the 
Carolina  Wren,  which  is  found  there  during  all  months  of  the  year.  Dur- 
ing the  summer  is  found  mostly  about  orchards  and  in  shrubbery  near 
buildings.  When  migrating  these  birds  are  often  seen  in  woods,  but 
they  seldom  breed  there.  The  nest  of  twigs,  wool,  strings,  feathers, 
hair,  grasses,  etc.,  is  built  in  various  odd  places  ;  holes  in  trees,  boxes 
and  hollow  fence  rails  are  the  most  usual  building  sites.  They  will 
build  also  in  an  old  hat,  the  sleeves  of  an  old  coat  or  back  of  loose 
weather  boards  on  buildings.  In  the  summer  of  1888,  Mr.  Geo.  B.  Sen- 
nett  and  the  writer  found  a  nest,  with  four  young,  built  in  a  cavity  in  a 
sand  bank  along  the  roadside.  The  eggs,  six  to  nine,  mostly  seven, 
measure  about  .65  long  by  .50  wide.  They  are  pinkish  or  creamy- 
white,  speckled  with  reddish-brown ;  the  brown  markings  are  generally 
darker  colored  about  the  larger  end,  though  the  lighter  ground  color 
is  often  almost  entirely  hidden  by  the  brown  coloration.  With  us  at 
least  two  broods  are  raised  in  a  season.  The  House  Wren  feeds  on 
beetles,  spiders,  flies,  "  moth-flies,"  grasshoppers  and  larvae. 


Troglodytes  hiemalis  VIEILL 

Winter  Wren. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  72). 

Length  about  4  ;  extent  about  6  inches  ;  upper  bill,  end  of  lowrer,  tarsi  and  eyes 
brown,  rest  of  lower  bill  and  toes  yellowish-brown.  Above  reddish-brown,  darkest 
on  head,  brightest  on  rump  and  tail.  Everywhere  except  on  head  and  upper  part 
of  back  with  transverse  bars  of  dusky  and  lighter  ;  lower  parts  pale  reddish-brown  ; 
belly,  flanks  and  crissum  strongly  barred  with  blackish  and  whitish  ;  the  outer 


Plate  76. 


<* 

1.  Hairy  Woodpecker,  Male.    2,  3. 

4.  tied-bellied  Woodpecker, 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  311 

webs  of  several  primaries  barred  with  white  and  dusky  ;  an  obscure  line  over  eye, 
and  streaks  or  spots  on  sides  of  head  and  neck  whitish. 

Habitat.—  Eastern  North  America  generally,  breeding  from  the  northern  parts  of 
the  United  States  northward,  and  wintering  from  about  its  southern  breeding  limit 
southward. 

Common  winter  resident  in  southern  parts  of  Pennsylvania  from  early 
in  October  to  about  the  middle  of  April.  Breeds  regularly  though 
somewhat  sparingly  in  the  northern  and  mountainous  portions  of  the 
state.  During  its  residence  with  us  frequents  chiefly  overhanging 
banks  of  streams,  the  projecting  or  upturned  roots  of  trees,  brush  piles 
and  dead  logs  in  woods  or  thickets  near  watery  places.  The  sharp 
chirr  of  this  sly  and  secretive  little  creature  may  often  be  heard— 
though  the  bird  is  hidden  from  view — in  wood-piles  about  houses,  where 
it  comes  to  seek  insects  and  larvae,  on  which  it  feeds  exclusively.  I 
have  never  seen  the  nest  or  eggs  of  the  Winter  Wren.  The  nest  is  said 
to  be  built  generally  in  "  thick  coniferous  woods,"  in  a  hole  or  crevice  of 
a  stump  or  log,  close  to  the  ground,  and  constructed  of  moss,  twigs, 
lichens,  lined  with  feathers  or  hair.  "Eggs,  five  to  eight,  .65  by  .48, 
pure  white,  minutely  dotted  with  reddish-brown  and  purplish"  ( Coues). 

Mr.  Otto  Behr  says  (letter  February,  1890)  of  this  species  in  Sullivan 
county  :  "  The  Winter  Wren  is  quite  common  with  us  in  summer,  but 
I  have  never  seen  him  in  the  middle  of  winter.  It  is  a  very  retiring 
bird,  never  coming  out  in  open  ground  in  summer.  He  is  invariably 
found  in  some  dark  wood  at  the  edge  of  a  swamp.  He  is  a  splendid 
singer,  with  a  voice  entirely  out  of  proportion  to  his  size,  and  can  be 
heard  a  long  way  off,  but  is  rather  difficult  to  approach.  We  found  his 
nest  but  once.  It  was  built  on  the  side  of  a  mossy  log  that  laid  across 
a  small  run  in  a  dark  rocky  place.  The  nest  was  composed  entirely  of 
moss  with  the  entrance  at  one  side  near  the  bottom ;  it  contained  six 
eggs  which  resembled  those  of  the  common  Chickadee.  The  eggs  were 
fresh  ;  time  July  4." 

GENUS  CISTOTHORUS  CABANIS. 
Cistothorus  stellaris  ( LIGHT.). 

Short-billed  Marsh  Wren. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Bill  short,  about  half  the  length  of  head ;  wings  and  tail  about  equal.  Above 
dark  brown  ;  back  part  of  crown,  middle  of  back  and  rump  quite  blackish  and  con- 
spicuously streaked  with  white ;  throat  and  central  portion  of  abdomen  whitish  ; 
wings  and  tail  barred  with  blackish  and  brown  ;  sides  of  body,  sides  oi  breast  and 
under  tail-coverts  reddish-brown  ;  maxilla  blackish  ;  mandible  paler,  legs,  feet  and 
eyes  brown.  Length  about  4?  inches  ;  extent  about  6£. 

Habitat.— Eastern  United  States  and  southern  British  provinces,  west  to  the 
plains.  Winters  in  the  Gulf  States  and  southward. 

Regular  but  apparently  rare  summer  resident.     Inhabits  sloughs  and 


312  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

extensive  swampy  places.  This  species  is  quite  shy  and  owing-  to  the  fact 
that  these  birds  frequent  the  thick  grasses,  rushes  and  rank  weeds  in, 
often  almost*  impenetrable  swamps,  they  frequently  escape  notice.  I  am 
inclined  to  think  the  Short-billed  Marsh  Wren  is  more  plentiful  and  gen- 
erally distributed,  in  suitable  localities,  throughout  the  state  than  it  is 
usually  supposed  to  be  by  naturalists  and  collectors.  Concerning 
this  species  Dr.  John  W.  Detwiller,  of  Bethlehem,  writes  me  as  fol- 
lows :  "  Mr.  John  Mack  brought  me  a  nest,  which  he  found  below  Qua- 
kertown,  Bucks  county,  while  hunting  Woodcock.  The  nest  was  newly 
constructed,  but  contained  neither  eggs  or  young.  Later  I  found  a  nest 
with  fresh  eggs,  in  the  month  of  July,  on  Chain  Dam  island,  Lehigh  river." 
I  have  observed  this  wren  as  a  summer  resident  in  Chester  and  Delaware 
counties ;  it  breeds  regularly,  according  to  Dr.  A.  C.  Treichler,  in  Lan- 
caster ;  Mr.  Sennett  has  never  observed  it  in  Erie  county,  but  Mr.  H.  C. 
Kirkpatrick,  of  Meadville,  informs  me  it  is  a  summer  resident  in  the  low 
swamps  and  marshes  in  Crawford  county.  It  is  not  reported  as  occur- 
ring in  any  of  our  mountainous  districts.  This  species  arrives  here 
about  the  last  week  in  April,  and  remains  until  aboiit  the  1st  of  October. 
Food  of  seven  of  these  wrens  examined  by  the  writer  consisted  of  bee- 
tles and  spiders. 


Cistothorus  palustris  (WiLS.). 

Long-billed  Marsh  Wren. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Bill  about  as  long  as  head ;  maxilla  blackish  ;  mandible  blackish  toward  end, 
but  paler  at  base ;  legs  pale  brown  (in  dried  specimens  dark  brown)  ;  eyes  dark 
brown  ;  length  51  or  a  little  over  ;  extent  nearly  7  inches.  Above  dull  brown,  a  lit- 
tle brighter  on  rump ;  crown  and  space  on  back  nearly  black  ;  pileum  is  divided  by 
a  faint  brownish  median  stripe ;  interscapular  region  and  sides  of  neck  streaked 
(short)  with  white ;  tail  blackish  and  barred  transversely  ;  a  white  streak  over  and 
extending  back  of  eye  ;  lower  parts  whitish,  sides,  flanks  and  under  tail-coverts 
more  or  less  light  reddish-brown  ;  under  tail-coverts,  faintly  barred. 

Habitat.—  Southern  British  America  and  the  United  States,  south,  in  winter,  to 
Guatemala. 

The  Long-billed  Marsh  Wren,  an  inhabitant  of  low  marshy  grounds 
grown  up  with  sedges  and  high  grasses,  is  a  common  summer  resident, 
in  suitable  localities,  throughout  the  state.  It  arrives  in  Pennsylvania 
about  the  same  time  as  the  Short-billed  Marsh  Wren,  and  remains  usu- 
ally a  little  longer  than  its  short-billed  relative,  before  leaving  for  its 
winter  home.  I  have  captured  individuals  in  southern  Pennsylvania  as 
late  as  the  middle  of  October.  The  song  of  this  species,  Mr.  Ridgway* 
says,  "  resembles  somewhat  that  of  the  House  Wren,  but  is  muqh  less 
agreeable,  having  a  peculiar  sputtering  or  scolding  character."  The 
following  paragraphs  relating  to  this  vivacious  and  secretive  little  den- 

*  Ornithology  of  Illinois,  p.  100. 


Plate  77. 


Yellow-bellied 
L,  2.  Male  and  Female; 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  313 

izen  of  swamps,  published  in  the  February  number  (1887)  of  the  Orni- 
thologist and  Oologist,  have  been  kindly  given  to  me  by  Mr.  Jackson  for 
publication  in  this  report : 

"During-  the  latter  part  of  May,  1886,  while  exploring  an  extensive 
swamp  within  a  few  miles  of  West  Chester  (Chester  county),  my  atten- 
tion was  attracted  by  a  strange,  unfamiliar  bird  note  coming  from  a 
clump  of  calamus  that  grew  in  about  two  feet  of  water.  Pausing  a 
moment  to  listen  for  the  song  again,  the  bird  flew  from  its  hiding  place 
to  a  tree  near  by,  uttering  at  the  same  time  its  harsh,  rattling  song.  In 
it  I  recognized  the  Long-billed  Marsh  Wren.  *  *  *  *  A  further 
search  revealed  a  number  of  finished,  though  unoccupied  nests,  located 
in  clusters  in  various  parts  of  the  swamp.  At  this  time  there  were 
probably  eight  or  ten  nests  in  different  stages  of  composition,  but  none 
of  them  contained  eggs.  About  three  weeks  later,  on  the  12th  of  June, 
in  company  with  a  friend,  I  again  visited  the  locality.  The  birds  were 
still  there ;  one  of  them,  probably  the  male,  singing  constantly,  and  flying 
restlessly  from  one  spot  to  another.  After  searching  the  whole  ground 
over,  and  examining  twenty  or  more  nests,  we  at  last  came  upon  the 
right  one  in  a  bunch  of  tall  calamus,  containing  six  eggs.  Five  of  these 
were  well  advanced ;  the  sixth  perfectly  fresh.  It  is  possible  that  there 
might  have  been  two  or  more  pairs  of  these  birds  in  the  swamp,  as  it 
seems  almost  incredible  that  a  single  pair  of  them  could  construct  so 
many  nests ;  but  I  could  not  find  any  more  birds.  This  set  of  eggs  was 
a  typical  one  of  the  Long-billed  Marsh  Wren,  though  probably  some- 
what darker  than  the  average.  The  nest  was  composed  mainly  of  coarse 
blades  of  grass  (tussock)  woven  in  with  the  leaves  of  the  calamus,  and 
lined  with  pieces  of  dead  leaves,  a  few  feathers  and  other  soft  material. 
It  hung  about  eighteen  inches  above  the  water,  and  was  by  no  means  a 
conspicuous  object" — Thos.  H.  Jackson,  West  Chester,  Pa.  The  Long- 
billed  Marsh  Wren  feeds  on  different  kinds  of  aquatic  insects,  particu- 
larly beetles  and  spiders. 


FAMILY  CERTHIID-ffi.     CREEPERS. 

GENUS  CERTHIA  LINNJSUS. 
Certhia  familiaris  americana  (BONAP.). 

Brown  Creeper. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  92). 

Tail-feathers  long,  rigid  and  acute  quite  like  a  woodpecker's  ;  bill  slender,  acute, 
compressed  and  decurved,  urmotched  and  without  bristles ;  hind  toe  and  claw 
largest  and  longest;  inner  toe  longer  than  outer,  three  toes  in  front,  one  behind. 
Length  about  5^  ;  extent  about  8  or  little  less;  maxilla  brownish-black:  mandible, 
except  tip  which  is  blackish,  yellowish  flesh  color  ;  legs  and  feet  pale  brown  ;  eyes 
brown.  Above  brownish  and  blackish,  each  feather  with  white  central  streak  ;  rump 


314  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

bright  rusty ;  white  line  over  eye  ;  below  white ;  feathers  about  vent  and  under  tail- 
coverts,  in  most  specimens,  are  soiled,  more  or  less,  with  pale  reddish-brown  ;  large 
wing-quills,  except  outer  two  or  three  primaries,  transversely  barred  with  pale  red- 
dish-white. 

Habitat. — North  America  in  general,  breeding  from  the  northern  and  more  ele- 
vated parts  of  the  United  States  northward,  migrating  southward  in  winter. 

The  Brown  Creeper  is  a  rather  abundant  spring-  and  fall  migrant 
throughout  the  state.  In  winter  it  is  also  frequently  met  with,  but  is  never 
as  common  during-  the  winter  months  as  when  migrating  in  April  and 
October.  This  unsuspicious  and  brown-coated  creeper  frequents  chiefly 
forests ;  he  also  sometimes  is  seen  in  trees  in  lawns,  parks  and  gardens. 
Like  a  woodpecker,  this  bird  creeps  up  and  around  the  trunks  of  trees; 
and  so  similar  is  the  coloration  of  his  upper  parts,  to  the  rough  bark 
over  which  he  nimbly  moves,  that  he  frequently  escapes  notice. 
Although  unsuspicious,  often  permitting  you  to  approach  within  a  few 
feet  of  the  tree-trunk  on  which  he  so  industriously  is  seeking  his  insect 
food,  he  usually,  when  closely  approached,  quietly  and  quickly  slips 
round  to  the  opposite  side  of  the  tree  from  the  observer.  I  have  never 
observed  this  species  in  Pennsylvania  in  summer,  but  that  it  breeds 
sparingly  in  our  mountainous  regions  there  is  ample  proof. 

Prof.  August  Kock  mentions  it  as  a  regular  but  rather  rare  breeder  in 
the  mountainous  districts  of  Lycoming  county,  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Williamsport.  Mr.  George  B.  Sennett  informs  me  that  this  bird  breeds 
occasionally  in  the  elevated  parts  of  Erie  county,  where  it  also  is  some- 
times seen  during  mild  winters.  Prof.  H.  Justin  Roddy  has  found 
these  birds  during  the  summer  months  in  the  mountains  of  Perry  and 
Centre  counties.  In  the  forests  of  Sullivan  county,  at  an  altitude  of 
about  2,000  feet,  the  Brown  Creeper  is  reported,  by  Mr.  Otto  Behr,  to  be 
a  regular,  though  not  common,  summer  resident.  "  They  breed  in  hol- 
low trees,  in  the  deserted  holes  of  the  woodpeckers,  and  in  the  decayed 
stumps  and  branches  of  trees.  Their  nest  is  a  loose  aggregation  of  soft, 
warm  materials,  not  interwoven,  but  simply  collected  with  regard  to  no 
other  requisite  than  warmth.  *  *  *  Their  eggs  are  small  in  propor- 
tion to  the  size  of  the  bird,  are  nearly  oval  in  shape,  with  a  grayish- 
white  ground,  sparingly  sprinkled  with  small,  fine,  red  and  reddish- 
brown  spots.  They  measure  .55  by  .43  of  an  inch."  (Hist.  N.  Am.  B.). 
Food  consists  entirely  of  insects,  especially  small  beetles,  larvae,  ants, 
flies,  etc. 

FAMILY  PARIDJE.     NUTHATCHES  AND  TITS. 
SUBFAMILY  SITTING.    NUTHATCHES. 

THE  NUTHATCHES. 

Nuthatches  are  so  named  from  their  habit  of  placing  nirts,  seeds,  etc.,  in  crevices  in 
limbs  or  in  cracks  in  bark  and  hammering  away  with  the  hard,  sharp-pointed  and 
awl-like  bill  until  the  shell  is  broken  and  its  nutritious  and  softer  contents  exposed. 


BItiDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  315 

In  the  fall  and  winter  these  birds  feed  to  a  considerable  extent  on  nuts,  especially 
chestnuts,  acorns  and  beech  nuts,  as  well  as  the  seeds  of  many  kinds  of  weeds; 
their  main  food,  however,  consists  of  different  species  of  tree-inhabiting  beetles, 
larvae,  insect  eggs,  ants,  spiders,  etc.,  which  they  secure  when  climbing  about  the 
limbs  and  trunks  of  trees.  The  White-breasted — the  most  abundant  of  our  three 
species — sometimes  feeds  on  grains  of  maize  which  he  places  in  a  crevice  of  a  fence 
rail  or  in  a  suitable  chink  in  the  rough  bark  of  a  tree  and  with  a  few  strokes  of  the 
bill  the  grain  is  soon  broken  into  fragments  and  eaten.  Both  the  White-breasted 
and  Red-breasted  Nuthatches  are  resident  in  Pennsylvania,  but  the  Brown-headed 
Nuthatch— a  southern  bird— if  found  here,  occurs  only  as  a  rare  and  irregular  strag- 
gler about  our  southern  borders.  The  white-breasted  species,  although  found  gener- 
ally throughout  the  commonwealth  as  a  rather  common  resident,  appears  to  be  rather 
more  numerous  during  winter  in  the  lower  half  of  the  state  than  to  the  northward. 
The  Red-breasted  Nuthatch  breeds  sparingly  in  our  higher  mountain  and  northern 
districts  and  in  winter  is  observed  as  an  irregular  visitor  in  our  southern  counties. 
In  southeastern  Pennsylvania  this  last-named  bird  is  more  frequently  met  with  in 
October  and  the  early  part  of  November,  than  at  any  other  period  of  the  year.  Birds 
of  this  group  ascend  tne  limbs  and  trunks  of  trees  with  as  much  ease  and  celerity 
as  any  of  the  woodpeckers.  In  fact  this  woodpecker-like  habit  has  given  rise  to 
the  vernacular  name  of  "Sapsucker  "  by  which  Nuthatches  as  well  as  all  the  smaller 
kinds  of  woodpeckers  are  commonly  known  in  this  region.  Woodpeckers,  as  Dr. 
Coues  states,  rarely  if  ever  climb  head  downward,  but  Nuthatches  frequently  are 
seen  descending  vertical  limbs,  etc.,  head  downward.  They  usually  are  seen 
singly,  in  pairs,  or  single  families,  but  sometimes  small  scattered  flocks  of  these 
noisy,  restless  and  unsuspicious  little  creepers  are  observed  in  woods.  In  Florida 
where  Brown-headed  Nuthatches  are  very  abundant,  I  have  found  them  during  the 
winter  and  spring  in  flocks  of  considerable  size,  frequenting  the  tops  of  tall  trees 
in  open  pine  woods.  These  birds,  because  of  the  vast  numbers  of  destructive  in- 
sects they  destroy,  are  hjghly  beneficial,  and  merit  the  protection  of  farmers  and 
fruit-growers,  some  of  whom,  unfortunately,  from  a  mistaken  idea  that  they  suck 
the  sap  of  fruit  trees,  destroy  them  when  they  visit  the  orchards. 

Nuthatches  build  warm  nests  of  feathers,  hair,  grasses,  etc.,  in  holes  in  trees  or 
stumps,  and  lay,  usually,  five  or  six  eggs,  which  are  white  and  spotted  with  reddish- 
brown.  Bill  about  as  long  as  head,  awl-shaped,  stout,  very  acute,  compressed  and 
unnotched  ;  nostrils  concealed  by  tufts  of  feathers  ;  wings  long  and  pointed,  prima- 
ries ten,  first  very  small.  The  nearly  even  tail,  considerably  shorter  than  the  wings, 
is  quite  broad  and  composed  of  soft  rounded  (at  end  and  not  rigid  and  acute  like 
a  woodpecker's)  feathers.  Four  toes,  three  in  front  one  behind  ;  claws  sharp  and 
curved.  Bill  and  legs  are  blackish  :  lower  mandible  is  generally  paler  at  base ; 
eyes  brown. 

GENUS  SITTA  LINNAEUS. 
Sitta  carolinensis  LATH. 

White-breasted  Nuthatch ;   White-bellied  Nuthatch. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  46). 

Length  about  6 ;  extent  about  11  inches  ;  bill  blue-black,  base  of  lower  mandible 
paler ;  legs  and  iris  brown. 

Adult  mule. — Back  and  rump  ashy-blue  ;  top  of  head  and  back  of  neck  glossy 
black  ;  tail  (except  two  middle  feathers,  which  are  same  color  as  back)  black,  spot- 
ted with  white  ;  lower  parts,  sides  of  head  and  neck  white ;  flanks  and  lower  tail- 
coverts  rusty  brown.  Female  and  young  similar  though  the  black  on  head  is  in- 
distinct, or  sometimes  absent. 

Habitat.— Southern  British  provinces  and  eastern  United  States  to  the  Rocky 
mountains. 


316  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

The  White-breasted  Nuthatch,  generally  known  in  this  locality  by  the 
name  of  "Sapsucker,"  is  a  common  resident  throughout  the  state. 
During-  the  summer  this  species  inhabits  trees  in  groves  and  forests, 
but  in  winter  it  visits  trees  of  orchards,  yards  and  gardens  in  quest  of 
food.  The  name  of  "  Sapsucker,"  given  to  this  bird  and  also  to  the 
Downy  and  Hairy  Woodpeckers,  is,  when  so  used,  a  misnomer,  as 
neither  the  nuthatch  or  either  of  the  woodpeckers  ever  feed  on  sap. 
Nuthatches,  like  woodpeckers,  creep  about  the  trunks  and  limbs  of  trees 
searching  for  insects,  or  their  eggs,  and  various  larvae.  The  nuthatch 
deposits  its  eggs,  usually  five  or  six  in  number,  in  a  warm  bed  of  feath- 
ers, hair  and  grasses  which  are  placed  in  holes  of  trees.  The  eggs  are 
white,  speckled  with  reddish -brown ;  about  .75  long  by  .55  wide.  These 
birds,  in  addition  to  feeding  on  various  forms  of  insect-life,  also  eat 
nuts,  acorns,  Indian  corn,  and  various  seeds,  which  they  frequently  stick 
into  the  crevices  of  bark  or  in  cracks  of  fence  rails,  and  hammer  away 
with  their  bills  until  the  nut  or  other  food  stuff  is  sufficiently  broken 
that  it  may  be  swallowed. 


Sitta  canadensis  LINN. 

Red-breasted  Nuthatch. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  58). 

Length  about  4f  ;  extent  about  8g.  Above  dark  ashy-blue  ;  below  reddish-brown 
( some  specimens  have  feathers  about  chin  and  throat  whitish),  crown  and  sides  of 
head  black  (these  parts  in  female  are  dark  grayish);  a  white  superciliary  stripe  j 
lores  blackish  ;  tail  feathers,  except  central  pair,  tipped  with  white. 

Habitat. — North  America  at  large,  breeding  mostly  north  of  the  United  States,  mi- 
grating south  in  winter. 

The  Red-breasted  Nuthatch  breeds  sparingly  in  the  higher  mountain- 
ous and  northern  parts  of  the  state.  In  the  southern  parts  of  the  com- 
monwealth it  occurs  as  a  rather  rare  winter  visitant.  During  the  spring 
and  fall  migrations  this  species  is  more  frequently  met  with  than  at  any 
other  time.  I  have  found  this  nuthatch  to  be  quite  plentiful  in  Octo- 
ber and  the  early  part  of  November  in  Erie  county,  and  Mr.  Sennett  in- 
forms me  it  breeds  sparingly  in  portions  of  Crawford  county,  where  it  is 
found  at  all  seasons  of  the  year.  In  the  southeastern  part  of  our  state 
(Chester,  Delaware  and  Lancaster  counties)  these  birds,  according  to 
my  observation,  are  found  as  rather  irregular  winter  residents  ;  during 
severe  winters  they  generally  go  farther  southward.  Prof.  H.  J.  Koddy 
has  found  this  bird  breeding  in  the  mountainous  regions.  Food  of  the 
Bed-breasted  Nuthatch  is  similar  to  that  of  the  last  described  species. 


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BIRltS  OF  PENNSYL  VANIA.  317 

Sitta  pusilla  LATH. 

Brown-headed  Nuthatch. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Smallest  of  ail  our  species. 

Bill  rather  stout ;  maxilla  and  terminal  third  of  mandible  black,  rest  of  lower  man- 
dible yellowish  (dried  skins).  Length  about  4  inches  or  a  little  more  ;  extentabout 
8.  Top  of  head  and  nape  brown  ;  lores  and  streak  back  of  eye  similar  to  pileum  but 
darker ;  a  distinct  white  spot  on  hind  neck  ;  edge  of  wing  and  chin  white  ;  under 
part  generally  grayish,  or  pale-brownish  white.  Tail  is  less  varied  with  white  than 
either  of  two  last  described  species. 

Habitat.—"  South  Atlantic  and  Gulf  States,  north,  regularly,  to  lower  Maryland 
and  Virginia  (lower  Potomac,  shores  of  Chesapeake  Bay,  etc.),  casually  to  Ohio, 
Michigan,  Missouri  (Pennsylvania?),  etc." — Ridgway. 

The  Brown-headed  Nuthatch,  a  southern  bird,  and  one  which  is  much 
smaller  than  either  of  the  two  previously  mentioned  species,  I  have 
never  observed  in  Pennsylvania,  where  it  is  recorded  as  occurring"  only 
as  a  casual  or  accidental  visitor.  Dr.  Turnbull  (Birds  of  East  Pennsyl- 
vania) gives  it  as  a  rare  straggler  in  summer  to  the  southern  counties. 
The  late  C.  D.  Wood,  had  a  specimen  in  his  collection  which  he  stated 
had  been  captured  near  Philadelphia,  in  the  autumn  (about  1885). 

The  stomach  contents  of  twenty -three  of  these  birds  (adults  and  young-) 
captured  in  Florida,  during  the  winter  and  spring-  months,  and  examined 
by  the  writer  consisted  exclusively  of  insects,  chiefly  beetles,  larvae  and 
ants. 

SUBFAMILY  PARING.     TITMICE. 
THE  TITMICE. 

About  a  dozen  species  and  several  subspecies  of  this  group  are  recorded  as  belonging 
to  the  fauna  of  North  America ;  of  these  three  species  only  are  found  in  Pennsylvania. 
Two— the  Tufted  Titmouse  and  Chickadee  are  common,  but  the  Carolina  Chickadee 
appears  to  have  been  observed,  except  as  a  straggler,  only  in  the  southeastern  part  of 
Pennsylvania  (Chester,  Delaware,  Lancaster  and  Philadelphia  counties).  The  nests, 
composed  of  feathers,  hair,  cotton,  grasses  and  other  soft  and  warm  materials,  are 
built  in  holes  of  trees  or  stumps  ;  the  eggs,  five  to  eight  in  number,  are  white,  spotted 
or  speckled  with  reddish-brown.  Titmice  sometimes,  like  woodpeckers,  excavate 
holes  in  rotten  wood,  in  which  they  rear  their  young,  but  usually  I  think  these  birds 
endeavor  to  make  use  of  old  holes  and  commonly  only  dig  new  holes  when  they  are 
unable  to  find  old  ones  which  will  be  suitable  for  a  nesting  place.  The  writer  has 
examined  eleven  nests  of  Titmice,  and  but  two  of  these  were  built  in  what  appeared 
to  be  new  excavations,  and  both  of  these  were  in  decaying  willow  stumps,  along  a 
swamp  in  the  edge  of  a  woods.  In  summer  Titmice  are  usually  found  in  woods  and 
thickets,  but  in  winter  these  active,  vociferous  and  restless  birds  frequently  come 
singly  or  in  small  flocks  about  our  yards  and  gardens.  The  Chickadee  or  "Tom-tit," 
by  which  latter  name  he  is  known  to  many,  is  much  more  abundant  than  either  of 
the  other  species,  and  in  the  autumn  and  winter  he  is  one  of  the  frequent  visitors  to 
orchards  and  shrubbery  about  houses.  During  the  late  spring,  summer  and  early 
fall  Titmice  subsist  mainly  on  an  insect  diet,  consisting  principally  of  different 
larvae,  small  beetles,  plant-lice,  spiders,  ants,  etc.  In  winter  they  devour  various 


318  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


kinds  of  insects  that  can  be  found,  but  their  main  food,  at  this  time,  is  made  up  of 
seeds  of  different  weeds  and  grasses ;  they  also  eat  berries,  and,  like  the  Nuthatches, 
they  often  feed  on  chestnuts,  acorns  and  cereals.  Titmice,  like  Jays,  are  carnivo- 
rous and  sometimes,  according,  to  Nuttall  (and  other  writers),  "  they  carry  their  dep- 
redations so  far  as  to  pursue  and  attack  sickly  birds,  even  of  their  own  species,  com- 
mencing like  Jays,  by  piercing  the  skull,  and  devouring  the  brain" — (Nuttall). 

Primaries  ten,  the  first  very  short,  being  about  half  as  long  as  second  ;  nostrils  hid- 
den by  antrorse  bristly  feathers  ;  wings  short  and  rounded,  equal  to  or  shorter  than 
the  rather  long,  soft  and  almost  rounded  tail  ;  the  bill  shorter  than  the  head,  is  stout, 
hard,  conical  and  rather  blunt  at  tip,  and  unnotched.  Three  toes  in  front,  and  one 
behind  ;  bill  blackish  ;  legs  lead  colored  ;  eyes  brown. 


GENUS  PARUS  LINNAEUS. 
Parus  bicolor  LINN. 

Tufted  Titmouse. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  99). 

Length  about  6  ;  extent  about  10  inches;  bill  black,  both  upper  and  lower  outlines 
convex;  legs  lead  color  ;  crown  with  a  conspicuous  crest;  upper  parts  ashy  or  leaden- 
gray  ;  forehead  dull  sooty-black  ;  lower  parts  whitish  ;  sides  and  flanks  rusty  brown. 
In  the  young  the  crest  is  shorter,  and  the  black  of  the  forehead,  also  the  rusty  brown 
of  the  sides  very  indistinct. 

Habitat. — Eastern  United  States  to  the  plains,  but  rare  towards  the  northern 
border,  being  a  straggler  merely  to  southern  New  England. 

Common  resident  particularly  in  southeastern  Pennsylvania ;  gener- 
ally found  in  forests,  yet  it  often,  especially  in  winter,  comes  around 
dwellings.  May  easily  be  recognized  by  its  loud  whistling-  notes  or  its 
ordinary  cry  of  dee,  dee,  dee.  Although  this  bird  usually  nests  in  holes 
of  trees  in  woods,  it  occasionally  builds  in  boxes  about  houses.  The 
nest  is  composed  of  feathers,  dried  grasses,  leaves,  etc.  The  eggs,  about 
three-fourths  of  an  inch  long  and  a  little  more  than  one-half  wide,  usually 
five  or  six  in  number,  are  white,  speckled  with  reddish-brown  and  lilac. 
The  Tufted  Titmouse  feeds  on  various  forms  of  insect  life,  also  seeds  of 
different  weeds  and  grasses,  and  at  times  he  subsists  on  small  berries. 
This  species  is  seldom  seen  in  Erie  county,  and  it  is  also  said  to  be  rather 
rare  in  other  of  the  northern  counties.  In  many  of  the  mountainous 
districts  it  is  reported  to  be  rare  or  found  only  as  a  winter  visitor. 

Parus  atricapillus  LINN. 

Chickadee ;  Black-cap  Titmouse. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  47}. 

Length  about  5^  inches  ;  extent  about  8  inches  ;  bill  black  ;  legs  bluish-gray ;  head 
not  crested.  Back  brownish  ashy ;  top  of  head,  chin  and  throat  black;  sides  of 
head  white  ;  beneath  whitish  ;  brownish  on  sides;  wing  and  tail  feathers  margined 
with  white. 

Habitat. — Eastern  North  America,  north  of  the  Potomac  and  Ohio  Valleys. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  319 

\ 

Common  resident;  found  in  all  localities,  but  during-  the  summer 
these  birds  are  usually  seen  in  woods  and  thickets,  from  which  in  win- 
ter they  often  come  about  houses,  or,  in  small  flocks,  frequent  weedy 
places  in  fields  and  swamps  in  search  of  food.  The  common  name  arises 
from  their  familiar  note  of  chick-a-dee-dee.  These  birds  sometimes  nest 
in  natural  cavities,  but  frequently,  woodpecker-like,  they  excavate  holes 
in  trees,  stumps,  etc.,  in  which  they  build  a  nest  of  hair,  feathers,  mosses, 
fine  dried  grasses  or  other  soft  materials.  The  egg's,  mostly  six  or  seven, 
sometimes  more,  are  white,  spotted  or  dotted,  chiefly  about  the  larger 
end,  with  reddish-brown ;  measure  about  .60  long-  by  .50  wide.  Audubon 
writing  of  the  Black-cap  says :  They  lay  their  egg's  in  the  hole  deserted 
by  some  small  woodpecker.  "As  it  has  been  my  fortune  to  witness  a 
pair  at  this  work,  I  will  here  state  what  occurred,  notwithstanding1  the 
opinion  of  those  who  informed  us  that  the  bill  of  a  titmouse  is  '  not 
shaped  for  digging1.'  While  seated  one  morning-  under  a  crab-apple 
tree,  I  saw  two  Black-cap  Titmice  fluttering-  about  in  great  concern,  as 
if  anxious  to  see  me  depart.  By  their  manners,  I  was  induced  to  be- 
lieve that  their  nest  was  near,  and  anxious  to  observe  their  proceedings, 
I  removed  to  a  distance  of  about  twenty  paces.  The  birds  now  became 
silent,  alighted  on  the  apple-tree  gradually  moved  towards  the  base  of 
one  of  its  large  branches,  and  one  of  them  disappeared  in  what  I  then 
supposed  to  be  the  hole  of  some  small  woodpecker ;  but  I  saw  it  pres- 
ently on  the  edge,  with  a  small  chip  in  its  bill,  and  again  cautiously  ap- 
proached the  tree.  When  three  or  four  yards  off  I  distinctly  heard  the 
pecking-s  or  taps  of  the  industrious  worker  within,  and  saw  it  come  to 
the  mouth  of  the  hole  and  return  many  times  in  succession  in  the  course 
of  half  an  hour,  after  which  I  got  up  and  examined  the  mansion.  The 
hole  was  about  three  inches  deep,  and  dug-  obliquely  downward  from 
the  aperture,  which  was  just  large  enough  to  admit  the  bird.  I  had 
observed  both  sexes  at  this  labor."  The  Chickadee  feeds  on  different 
forms  of  insect  life  and  the  seeds  of  various  weeds,  grasses  and  other 
plants.  Crumbs  of  bread,  pieces  of  meat,  fragments  of  apples,  pears 
and  other  fruits  are  also  eaten. 


Parus  carolinensis  AUD. 

Carolina  Chickadee. 


DESCRIPTION. 


Length  about  4£  inches  ;  extent  about  7.  Similar  to  atricapillus  but  averaging 
smaller:  the  wing  and  tail  dimensions  in  atricapillus  average  about  the  same,  but 
in  carolinensis  the  tail  is  a  little  shorter  than  the  wing.  The  wings  (tertials  and 
greater  coverts)  lack  the  distinct  white,  so  well  marked  in  atricapillus. 

Habitat. — "  Eastern  United  States,  chiefly  south  of  40°,  west  to  Missouri,  Indian 
Territory  and  eastern  Texas.  —Ridgway. 

The  Carolina  Chickadee,  a  southern  species,  has  been  found  as  an  oc- 


320  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


casional  summer  resident  in  the  southern  part  of  Pennsylvania.  Dr. 
Treichler  has  observed  it  as  a  rare  breeder  in  the  vicinity  of  Elizabeth- 
town,  Lancaster  county.  Its  nests  and  eggs  have  also  been  obtained  in 
Chester  county ;  in  Clinton  county  Dr.  W.  Van  Fleet  records  it  as  a 
straggler.  In  relation  to  the  breeding1  of  this  species  in  Chester  county, 
I  am  indebted  to  Dr.  Wm.  D.  Hartman,  the  well  known  conchologist  of 
West  Chester,  Penna.,  for  the  following:  About  fifteen  years  ago  Dr.  W.  L. 
Hartman,  of  Pittston,  Penn'a,  found  the  Carolina  Chickadee  breeding  in 
willow  trees  near  a  swamp,  about  three  miles  from  West  Chester.  The 
nests,  composed  entirely  of  moss  (Sphagnum),  wer-e  all  built  in  cavities 
in  the  decayed  trunks  of  the  willow  trees.  The  first  nest  taken  con- 
tained nine  eggs,  and  after  these  were  secured  Dr.  Hartman  twice,  in 
the  course  of  about  a  month,  secured  two  more  nests  in  the  same  swamp. 
Each  nest  was  placed  in  a  new  cavity  which  had  nine  eggs.  When  the 
last  set  of  eggs  was  secured  the  old  bird  was  captured  and  sent  to  the 
Smithsonian  Institution  and  identified.  Dr.  Hartman  saw  but  one  pair 
of  birds.  The  excavations,  rather  small  at  the 'entrance  and  quite  roomy 
at  the  bottom,  were  unquestionably,  the  doctor  believes,  made  by  the 
birds  whose  eggs  were  taken.  Food  similar  to  that  of  the  Black-cap 
Titmouse. 


FAMILY  SYLVIID^I.     KINGLETS  AND  GNATCATCHERS. 

SUBFAMILY  REGULIN-ffi.     KINGLETS. 

THE  KINGLETS. 

Two  representatives  of  this  subfamily,  the  smallest  of  all  our  species  except  the 
Hummingbird,  are  found  in  Pennsylvania.  These  the  Ruby-crowned  and  Golden- 
crowned  Kinglets  are  common  and  generally  dispersed  throughout  the  state.  The 
Ruby-crowned  is  abundant  during  migrations  (spring  and  fall)  in  woodland,  thick- 
ets, orchards  and  it  is  also  often  seen  in  trees  and  shrubbery  about  the  habita- 
tion of  man,  actively  seeking  insects.  The  Golden-crowned  equally  as  plentiful  as 
the  other  species,  with  which,  during  the  spring  and  autumn,  it  frequently  associates 
is  one  ot  our  most  unsuspicious,  dainty  and  interesting  winter  residents.  Both  of 
these  species  are  usually  found  in  this  locality  in  flocks  of  from  a  half  dozen  to 
twenty  (sometimes  many  more)  each.  These  birds  when  migrating  are  often  ob- 
served in  considerable  numbers  in  evergreens  and  bushes  about  streams.  Kinglets, 
as  their  specific  names  indicate,  have  conspicuous  color  patches  on  the  head.  Ac- 
cording to  my  observation  these  diminutive  birds  feed  exclusively  on  insects,  such  as 
plant-lice,  small  beetles,  flies,  spiders  and  larvae  ;  some  writers,  however,  assert  that 
they  su.bsist,  in  part,  on  small  berries  and  different  seeds,  which  they  break  open 
by  striking  with  the  bill  in  the  same  manner  as  a  Titmouse.  The  blackish,  slender 
and  straight  bill,  much  shorter  than  head,  is  notched  at  tip,  depressed  at  base,  and 
much  compressed  toward  the  terminal  half.  Conspicuous  rictal  bristles ;  tail 
moderately  forked  and  shorter  than  the  wings.  First  primary  about  one-third  as 
long  as  second,  which  is  shorter  than  third,  fourth,  fifth  or  sixth,  but  about  equal 
to  the  seventh.  Eyes  brown.  Legs  and  feet  (dried  skins)  yellowish-brown. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  321 


GENUS  RBGULUS  CUVIER. 
Regulus  satrapa  LIGHT. 

Golden  -crowned  Kinglet. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  48). 

Length  about  4  ;  extent  about  6.50  ;  legs  brownish-yellow  ;  feet  yellowish  ;  bill 
black.  Upper  parts  olive-green  ;  wings  and  tail  dusky,  edged  with  yellowish ; 
crown  (adult  male)  bordered  in  front,  also  on  sides,  with  black,  embracing  a  central 
patch  of  fiery  orange-red  encircled  by  yellow.  The  female  has  no  flame-colored 
patch  ;  crown  is  entirely  yellow,  margined  with  black  ;  wing  and  tail-feathers  edged 
with  yellowish  ;  lower  parts  dull  whitish. 

"  Female,  first  plumage. — Pileum  (including  forehead)  dark  smoky-brown  ;  line 
over  the  eye  entirely  cut  off  at  its  anterior  corner  by  the  junction  of  the  dusky  lores 
with  the  brown  of  the  forehead  ;  tertiaries  broadly  tipped  with  white ;  breast 
strongly  washed  with  pale  brown  color  ;  otherwise  like  adult.  From  a  specimen  in 
my  collection  taken  at  Upton,  Me.,  August  25,  1874.  A  young  male  taken  August 
25,  1873,  is  in  every  way  similiar.  A  good  series  of  specimens  of  various  ages  shot 
during  August  and  the  early  part  of  September  illustrate  well  the  transitional 
stages.  First  the  brown  of  the  pileum  darkens  into  two  black  stripes,  while  the  line 
over  the  eye  broadens  to  meet  its  external  margin.  Next,  two  lines  of  yellow  feath- 
ers appear  inside  and  parallel  with  the  black  ones,  while  the  orange  of  the  central 
space  (of  the  male)  is  produced  last"  (Brewster,  Bull.  Nutt.  Orn.  Club,  June,  1878, 
19).  From  Orn.  of  111. 

Habitat. — North  America  generally,  breeding  in  the  northern  and  elevated  parts 
of  the  United  States  and  northward,  migrating  south  in  winter  to  Guatemala. 

Common  winter  resident  from  about  the  middle  of  October  to  the 
middle  of  April.  This  species  is  most  numerous  in  October,  November, 
March  and  April,  or  when  migrating  south  and  north.  The  Golden- 
crowned  Kinglet  frequents  the  tops  of  tall  forest  trees  as  well  as  low 
bushes,  and  frequently,  particularly  when  migrating  in  the  spring  and 
fall,  is  found,  in  company  with  the  Kuby -crowned  Kinglet  (R.  calendula), 
in  apple  orchards.  Kinglets  are  generally  seen  in  small  flocks.  They 
feed  on  various  forms  of  insect  life ;  they  are  very  expert  in  capturing 
small  insects  upon  the  wing,  and  destroy  great  numbers  of  plant-lice, 
spiders,  flies,  ants,  besides  devouring  large  numbers  of  insect  eggs  and 
larv?e. 

Mr.  Robert  Ridgway  (Ornithology  of  Illinois,  p.  76)  says:  "  The  deli- 
cate little  Golden-crowned  Kinglet — smaller  even  than  the  Ruby-crown — 
is  known  in  Illinois,  and,  indeed,  in  all  portions  of  the  United  States, 
except  the  northern  coniferous  woods  and  similar  forests  of  the  higher 
mountains,  only  as  a  winter  visitant  or  resident.  He  is  most  often  seen 
during  clear  frosty  mornings  in  midwinter,  and  seems  particularly  in  his 
element  when  the  trees  are  decked  with  an  icy  covering  of  sleet — when 
the  woods  appear  like  fairy  land,  and  the  pure  crisp  air  instills  fresh 
vigor  to  those  who  sally  forth  to  enjoy  its  exhilarating  influence.  Then 
the  little  gold-crests  may  be  seen  in  woods  or  parks  in  scattered  troops, 
nimbly  hunting  among  the  crystal  branches,  now  hanging,  in  titmouse 
21  BIRDS. 


322  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


fashion,  then  dropping  to  another  limb,  and  carelessly  hopping  about 
apparently  not  feeling  the  contact  of  the  ice  with  their  dainty  feet.  At 
such  times  none  of  our  birds  are  tamer  than  these  dainty  little  creatures 
and  none  certainly  more  lovely.  They  come  about  the  intruder  as  if 
utterly  unmindful  of  his  presence,  often  so  near  that  the  sparkle  of  the 
little  black  eye,  the  flash  of  the  glowing  orange  crown,  and  every  detail 
of  his  pretty  plumage  can  be  seen."  My  friend  Prof.  August  Kock,  of 
"Williamsport,  informs  me  he  has  occasionally  met  with  this  species  and 
their  young  in  August  and  September  in  Lycoming  county.  Perhaps 
future  investigations  will  show  that  this  species  breeds  sparingly  in 
some  of  the  extensive  coniferous  forests  of  our  higher  mountain  ridges. 
I  have  never  seen  the  Golden-crown  in  this  state  before  the  20th  of  Sep- 
tember, but  have  seen  two  or  three  specimens  of  this  species  which 
were  said  to  have  been  taken  in  Pennsylvania  in  midsummer. 


Regulus  calendula  (LINN.). 

Ruby-crowned  Kinglet. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Length  4|  to  4|  ;  extent  about  6§  ;  above  dark  olive-green  ;  rump  and  outer  edges 
of  wing  and  tail-leathers  bright  olive-green  ;  wing-bars,  ring  round  eye  and  outer 
edges  of  inner  tertials  white.  Below  grayish- white,  more  or  less  shaded,  especially 
on  sides  and  flanks,  with  pale  yellowish-olive.  Large  concealed  patch  of  scarlet  on 
crown  in  male.  Female  and  young  lack  this  bright  crown  patch. 

Habitat. — North  America,  south  to  Guatemala,  north  to  the  Arctic  coast,  breeding 
mostly  north  of  the  United  States. 

The  Ruby-crowned  Kinglet  is  an  abundant  spring  and  fall  migrant, 
arriving  in  Pennsylvania  early  in  April  and  remaining  until  about  the 
1st  of  May.  Frequents  woods,  orchards  and  thickets.  After  rearing 
their  young  in  more  northern  latitudes  these  diminutive  creatures  reap- 
pear in  this  region  about  the  last  week  in  September,  and  single  indi- 
viduals or  small  scattered  flocks  occasionally  remain  as  late  as  the  first 
week  in  November.  The  food  of  this  species  is  similar  to  that  of  the 
Golden-crown.  "This  species  of  Regulus  appears  to  lack  the  small 
feather  which  in  satrapa  overlies  and  conceals  the  nostrils,  which  was 
probably  the  reason  with  Cabanis  and  Blyth  for  placing  it  in  a  different 
genus.  There  is  no  other  very  apparent  difference  of  form,  however, 
although  this  furnishes  a  good  character  for  distinguishing  between 
young  specimens  of  the  two  species  "  (Hist.  N.  Am.  B.}. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYL  VANIA.  323 


SUBFAMILY  POLIOPTILIN-ffi.     GNATCATCHEES. 

GENUS  POLIOPTILA  SCLATER. 
Polioptila  caerulea  (LINN.). 

Blue-gray  Gnat  catcher. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Bill  long  and  slender  much  depressed  at  base,  distinctly  notched  at  end  and 
slightly  hooked  ;  bill  anterior  to  the  exposed  nostrils  rapidly  narrows,  and  becomes 
very  slender  at  tip  ;  the  round  wings  are  about  equal  to  tail ;  tail  graduated,  feathers 
with  rounded  ends.  Length  about  5  inches  ;  extent  about  6f  ;  bill  and  legs  black- 
jsh  ;  eyes  dark  brown.  Above  grayish-blue  ;  crown  decidedly  blue,  rump  some- 
what lighter  than  back  ;  forehead  and  line  over  eye  black  (absent  in  female)  ;  whit- 
ish ring  round  eye.  Lores  and  under  parts  pale  bluish-white,  except  chin  and  me- 
dian line  on  throat,  and  abdomen  also  in  some  specimens,  pure  white.  First  and 
second  pairs  of  tail-feathers  black  at  base  then  white  ;  third  and  fourth  black  with 
white  tips,  rest  black. 

Habitat.— Middle  and  southern  portions  of  the  United  States,  from  the  Atlantic 
to  the  Pacific,  south,  in  winter,  to  Guatemala,  Cuba  and  the  Bahamas ;  rare  north 
toward  the  Great  Lakes,  southern  New  York  and  southern  New  England,  straggling 
north  to  Massachusetts  and  Maine. 

The  Blue-gray  Gnatcatcher  occurs  as  a  summer  resident  in  the  south- 
ern parts  of  Pennsylvania.  Arrives  here  about  the  last  week  in  April 
and  remains  until  about  the  middle  of  September.  I  have  observed 
this  bird  in  the  southeastern  counties  as  a  rare  visitor,  in  the  spring, 
late  summer  and  autumn.  In  southwestern  Pennsylvania  the  gnat- 
catcher  is  reported  to  be  a  rather  frequent  summer  resident.  Messrs. 
M.  Compton,  W.  T.  Warrick  and  James  S.  Nease,  all  report  it  as  being 
rather  common  during  migrations  in  Washington  county,  and  they  also 
mention  it  as  a  probable  breeder.  Dr.  T.  Z.  Hazzard,  of  Allegheny 
City,  informs  me  it  breeds  regularly  in  his  locality  (Allegheny  county). 
The  Blue-gray  Gnatcatcher,  Mr.  H.  J.  Roddy  says,  "  is  common  at  one 
place  near  Lebo,  Perry  county.  I  find  them  breeding  there  every  year ; 
saw  a  family  August  10,  on  Jack's  mountain."  I  found  this  bird  to  be 
quite  common  in  February,  March  and  the  early  part  of  April  in 
Florida.  Its  food  consists  entirely  of  small-winged  insects  and  various 
larvae.  "It  is  an  expert  insect-catcher,  taking  its  prey  on  the  wing  with 
great  celerity.  All  its  movements  are  very  rapid,  the  bird  seeming  to 
be  constantly  in  motion  as  if  ever  in  quest  of  insects,  moving  from  one 
part  of  the  tree  to  the  other,  but  generally  preferring  the  upper 
branches  "  (Hist.  N.  Am.  Birds).  Never  having  had  the  good  fortune 
to  find  the  nest  or  eggs  of  this  species,  I  take  the  following  descriptions 
concerning  the  same  from  other  writers.  "  The  nest  of  this  species  is 
one  of  the  gems  of  bird  architecture.  It  is  a  very  compact  mass  of 
soft  felted  materials,  elaborately  and  artistically  ornamented  on  the  out- 
side with  gray  and  glaucous  lichens,  the  deep  interior  cavity  lined  with 
softest  down  and  feathers.  The  shape  varies  from  that  of  a  deep  cup 


324  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


to  that  of  an  inverted  cone,  the  opening  being-  always  at  the  top.  This 
elegant  structure  is  securely  fastened — either  saddled  to  or  woven  about — 
a  horizontal  limb,  usually  near  the  top  of  a  tree,  but,  especially  if  the 
tree  be  a  very  tall  one,  sometimes  on  one  of  the  lower  branches.  Often 
it  is  attached  to  a  limb  of  nearly  the  same  diameter  as  itself,  thus  ap- 
pearing as  a  knot  or  other  excrescence"  (Orn.  of  Illinois).  "Eggs, 
four  to  five,  about  .60  by  .45,  whitish,  fully  speckled  with  reddish  and 
umber-brown  and  lilac  "  (Cones'  Key). 


FAMILY  TURDID^E.*    THRUSHES,  BLUEBIRDS,  ETC. 
SUBFAMILY  TURBINE.    THEUSHES. 

THE  THRUSHES. 

Eight  representatives  of  this  subfamily  are  recorded  as  occurring  in  Pennsylva- 
nia. Three— the  American  Robin,  Wood  Thrush  and  Bluebird— are  common  and 
very  generally  distributed  throughout  the  state  as  summer  residents,  and  in  winter 
the  Robin  and  Bluebird  are  frequently  met  with, especially  in  the  southern  sections 
of  the  commonwealth.  With  the  exception  of  Bicknell's  Thrush,  the  members 
of  this  group,  although  quite  numerous,  being  found  in  nearly  all  parts  of  the  state 
during  migrations,  are  known  chiefly  to  ornithologists  only.  Many  farmers  and 
fruit-growers  regard  the  Robin  (Merula  migratoria)  as  a  great  nuisance  and  wage 
war  against  him  because  of  his  love  for  various  small  fruits.  The  other  members  of 
this  group,  like  the  Robin,  feed  also  to  a  more  or  less  extent  on  berries  of  different 
kinds.  These  birds  subsist  largely  on  various  species  of  noxious  insects ;  the 
service  which  they  all  render,  in  this  particular,  should  secure  for  them  the  protec- 
tion of  both  the  agriculturist  and  horticulturist. 


GENUS    TURDUS     LINNAEUS. 
Turdus  mustelinus  GMEL. 

Wood  Thrush  ;  Wood  Robin. 

DESCRIPTION  {Plate  100). 

Length  about  8 ;  extent  about  13  inches  ;  bill  blackish,  yellowish  at  base  ;  legs 
flesh  color ;  iris  brown.  Upper  parts  clear  cinnamon  brown,  brightest  on  top  of 
head,  and  shading  into  olive  on  rump  and  tail ;  lower  parts  pure  white,  and  everj7- 
where,  except  on  chin,  throat,  middle  of  belly  and  under  tail-coverts,  marked  with 
roundish,  dusky  spots. 

Habitat.— Eastern  United  States  to  the  plains,  north  to  southern  Michigan,  Onta- 
rio and  Massachusetts  ;  south,  in  winter  to  Guatemala  and  Cuba. 

Abundant  summer  resident  from  about  the  last  week  in  April,  to  some 
seasons,  as  late  as  October  20.  The  Wood  Robin,  the  name  by  which 
the  Wood  Thrush  is  best  known  in  many  localities  in  Pennsylvania 
(some  term  it  Hermit  Thrush),  is  a  common  inhabitant  of  woods.  It 
especially  delights  to  frequent  bushes  in  woodland,  near  streams  or  other 

*  "  Bill  slender,  usually  distinctly  notched,  and  with  distinct  rictal  bristles.  Tarsi  booted.  •/.  <>.,  the 
anterior  covering  undivided  for  the  greater  part  of  its  length.  Young  distinctly  spotted  "  (Orn.  of  1U. ). 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  325 


watery  places.  The  sweet,  ring-ing,  bell-like  notes  of  this  bird  are  such 
that  it  justly  ranks  as  one  of  our  most  entertaining-  songsters.  It  builds 
a  compact  and  rather  large  nest  of  mud,  leaves  and  dried  grasses  in 
trees  and  bushes,  usually  in  low  or  damp  woods.  The  eggs,  com- 
monly four,  are  light  greenish  blue,  and  measure  about  one  inch  long 
by  three-fourths  wide.  The  Wood  Thrush  feeds  on  numerous  forms  of 
insect  life,  it  devours  large  numbers  of  beetles,  earthworms,  crickets, 
flies,  larvae,  etc.,  and  also,  like  the  Common  Robin,  subsists  on  various 
small  fruits  and  berries. 

Turdus  fuscescens   STEPH. 

Wilson's  Thrush  ;  Veery ;  Tawny  Thrush. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  100). 

Length  about  1\  inches;  extent  about  12|  ;  bill  brownish  ;  basal  half  of  mandible 
paler  ;  tarsi  pale  yellowish-brown,  feet  darker  (dried  skins).  Above  uniform  red- 
dish brown  ;  no  contrast  between  tail  and  back,  no  light  ring  about  eye ;  sides  of 
head  grayish  ;  chin,  upper  part  of  throat  whitish  and  generally  without  spots ;  mid- 
dle of  abdominal  region  and  under  tail-coverts  white  ;  sides  shaded  with  grayish  or 
pale  olive ;  lower  part  of  throat  and  breast  buff-colored,  and  marked  with  small 
brownish  spots  ;  tail  and  wing  feathers  brownish. 

Habitat. — Eastern  United  States  to  the  plains,  north  to  Manitoba,  Ontario,  Anti- 
costi,  and  Newfoundland. 

Rather  common  spring  and  fall  migrant  throughout  the  state  ;  occa- 
sionally, during  mild  winters,  solitary  individuals  are  met  with  in  the 
southern  portions  of  Pennsylvania.  Wilson's  Thrush  breeds  sparingly 
in  the  northern  and  mountainous  parts  of  the  commonwealth.  It  has 
been  found  breeding  within  our  limits  by  Dr.  Detwiller,  of  Northamp- 
ton county ;  Mr.  George  P.  Friant  has  also  observed  it,  in  summer,  in 
Lackawanna  county,  and  it  also  breeds,  occasionally,  Mr.  Sennett  tells 
me,  in  Crawford  and  Erie  counties,  where  it  is  common  during  migra- 
tions. "Nest,  on  ground  or  near  it,  of  leaves,  grasses,  etc.,  but  no  mud; 
eggs,  four  to  five,  greenish-blue  like  those  of  the  Wood  Robin,  normally 
unspotted,  .90  by  .60" — (Coues).  This  bird,  usually  seen  singly,  but 
sometimes  in  small  parties,  frequents  chiefly  thick  woods  and  swampy 
places.  Feeds  on  insects,  worms  and  berries. 

Turdus  alicise  BAIBD. 

Gray-cheeked  Thrush. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  96}. 

A  little  larger  than  the  Olive-backed  Thrush,  from  which  it  differs  in  having  no 
yellowish  ring  round  eye,  and  sides  of  head  are  grayish  not  yellowish.  Jugulum 
more  or  less  shaded  with  buff. 

Habitat.— Eastern  North  America,  west  to  the  plains,  Alaska  and  eastern  Siberia, 
north  to  the  Arctic  coast,  south,  in  winter,  to  Costa  Rica  ;  breeds  chiefly  north  of  the 
United  States; 


326  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

The  Gray-cheeked  Thrush  is  a  rather  plentiful  spring-  and  fall  migrant 
in  Pennsylvania ;  frequents  woods  and  thickets.  The  food  is  similar  to 
that  of  the  Wilson's  Thrush. 

NOTE.  A  race  of  this  species,— Bicknell's  Thrush  (Turdus  alicice  bicknelli)  has 
been  described  by  Mr.  Ridgway.  A  description  of  this  bird  as  given  by  Mr.  Ridgway 
(Vol.  I,  Ornithology  of  Illinois)  is  as  follows:  "Similar  to  Turdus  alicice  Baird,  but 
much  smaller  and  (usually)  with  the  bill  more  slender.  Wing,  3.40-3.80  (3.65) ;  tail, 
2.60-2.90  (2.75);  culmen,  .50-.52  (.51) ;  tarsus,  1.10-1.25  (1.13);  middle  toe,  .65-.70(.68)." 
A  single  specimen  believed  to  belong  to  this  newly  discovered  race,  named  in  honor 
of  its  discoverer  Mr.  Eugene  P.  Bicknell,  who  first  obtained  it  on  the  Catskill  Moun- 
tains, was  captured  by  Prof.  H.  J.  Roddy,  near  Chickies'  Rock,  Lancaster  county. 
I  have  never  seen  the  specimen  taken  by  Mr.  Roddy,  who  since  the  above  was  written 
writes  me  as  follows  concerning  it.  4<  Turdus  alicice  bicknelli,  I  am  not  quite  sure 
of.  The  more  I  study  my  specimen  the  more  I  think  it  is  Turdus  alicice  somewhat 
changed  in  some  way  and  yet  not  bicknelli."  The  habitat  of  this  bird  as  given  in 
Ridgway's  Ornithology  of  Illinois  is  the  higher  mountains  of  northeastern  United 
States,  from  the  Catskills  and  Adirondacks,  in  New  York,  to  the  White  mountains 
of  New  Hampshire  ;  breeding  from  an  elevation  of  4,000  feet  upward.  Straggler  to 
Illinois  (Warsaw,  May  24,  1884;  Chas.  K.  Worthen)." 


Turdus  ustulatus  swainsonii  (CAB.). 

Olive-backed  Thrush. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  100). 

Length  about  7£  inches;  extent  about  11|  ;  upper  parts  uniform  greenish-olive; 
conspicuous  yellowish  ring  round  eye  ;  lores,  sides  of  head,  chin,  throat  and  breast 
strongly  tinged  with  yellowish  ;  anterior  lower  parts,  except  chin  and  upper  part  of 
throat,  marked  with  numerous  and  large  dusky  and  blackish  spots  ;  sides  grayish- 
olive  ;  middle  of  abdomen  and  under  tail-coverts  white ;  wings  and  tail  dusky  ; 
somewhat  paler  on  under  surface. 

Habitat. — Eastern  North  America,  and  westward  to  the  Upper  Columbia  river  and 
East  Humboldt  mountains,  straggling  to  the  Pacific  coast.  Breeds  mostly  north  of 
the  United  States. 

Common  spring  and  fall  migrant,  generally  distributed  throughout 
the  state ;  arrives  here  usually  about  the  last  of  April  and  departs  in 
October.  The  Olive-backed  Thrush  breeds  occasionally,  it  is  said,  in 
our  higher  mountainous  regions. 


Turdus  aonalaschkae  pallasii    (CAB.). 

Hermit  Thrush. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  100). 

Size  about  the  same  as  last.  Upper  parts  olive  ;  rump  and  tail  reddish-brown  ; 
yellowish  ring  round  eye  ;  below  white  ;  shaded  on  sides  with  grayish-olive  ;  mid- 
dle of  upper  part  of  throat  usually  immaculate  ;  sides  of  head,  in  some  specimens, 
very  similar  to  back  ;  but  usually  sides  of  head,  sides  of  neck,  lower  part  of  throat 
and  breast  are  tinged  with  buff;  lower  throat  and  breast  conspicuously  marked  with 
large  blackish  and  dusky-olive  spots  ;  upper  surface  of  tail  reddish-brown,  below 
paler  ;  outer  webs  of  wing-quills  similar  but  lighter  ;  inner  webs  blackish. 

Habitat.— Eastern  North  America,  breeding  from  the  northern  United  States 
northward,  and  wintering  from  the  Northern  states  southward. 


PLATE  80. 


Fish  Hawk. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  327 


This  Hermit  Thrush  is  the  most  abundant  of  all  the  thrushes  except 
the  American  Robin.  During-  the  spring-  and  fall  migrations  this  bird 
is  much  more  abundant  than  at  other  times.  During  mild  winters  a  few 
of  these  thrushes  are  seen  in  sheltered  localities  in  the  southern  parts 
of  our  state.  This  species,  it  is  stated,  breeds  sparingly  in  some  of  our 
higher  mountainous  districts. 


GENUS  MERULA  LEACH. 
Merula  migratoria  (LINN.). 

American  Robin. 

DESCRIPTION  {Plate  40,  old  and  young). 

Length  about  9^ ;  extent  about  16  inches  ;  bill  yellow,  upper  mandible  tipped  with 
black  ;  iris  brown  ;  legs  and  feet  brownish  ;  above  plain  grayish,  blackish  on  head, 
tail  and  sides  of  neck  ;  lower  parts  reddish-brown,  paler  in  female;  lower  part  of 
belly,  anal  region  and  under  tail-coverts  white ;  some  specimens  have  under  tail- 
coverts  spotted  with  grayish-brown  ;  outer  tail  feathers  tipped  with  white ;  young 
are  spotted  above  and  below. 

Habitat.— Eastern  North  America  to  Rocky  mountains,  including  eastern  Mexico 
and  Alaska.  Breeds  from  near  the  southern  border  of  the  United  States  northward 
to  the  Arctic  coast ;  winters  from  southern  Canada  and  the  Northern  states  (irregu- 
larly) southward. 

This  familiar  bird  is  abundant  throughout  the  state  during  the  spring, 
summer  and  autumn.  In  the  winter  months  it  is  not  uncommon  to  find 
small  flocks  about  cedar  thickets,  swamps  and  other  well-sheltered  lo- 
calities, especially  in  the  southern  parts  of  the  state.  At  times,  other 
than  when  breeding,  Robins  are  gregarious.  Late  in  the  summer  and 
autumn  they  collect  in  good-sized  flocks  and  repair  every  evening  to 
some  favorite  roosting  resort,  where  they  are  found  often  in  company 
with  Cowbirds  and  Purple  Grackles.  The  Robin  seems  in  no  way  par- 
ticular about  the  site  selected  for  its  bulky  nest  of  mud,  leaves,  dried 
grasses,  etc.  Although  it  usually  builds  in  a  tree,  it  frequently  nests, 
under  an  overhanging  bank  along  the  roadside,  or  under  a  porch,  and 
occasionally  on  fence-rails.  In  May,  1880,  a  friend  of  mine  found,  near 
West  Chester,  a  nest  of  this  bird  built  on  the  ground  in  the  middle  of  a 
woods,  and  concealed  by  May-apple  plants.  The  eggs,  usually  four  or 
five  in  number,  are  light  bluish-green,  and  measure  about  1.16  long  by 
.79  wide.  With  us  at  least  two  broods  are  raised  each  season.  By 
farmers  and  fruit  growers  the  Robin  is  very  generally  regarded  as  a  nui- 
sance, because  of  his  fondness  for  various  small  fruits.  The  following 
notes  and  remarks  on  the  food,  it  is  hoped,  will  suffice  to  show  that  this 
species  is  at  least  somewhat  beneficial  to  the  agriculturist  and  pomolo- 
gist,  even  though  it  will,  at  certain  periods  of  the  year,  subsist  largely 
on  a  fruit  diet :  In  the  early  part  of  June,  1879,  twenty-three  Robins  were 
captured,  on  the  same  date,  in  East  Bradford,  Pa.  The  birds  were 


328  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


taken  in  an  apple  orchard,  or  in  the  act  of  going  to  or  from  cherry  trees 
located  near  said  orchard.  Thirteen  birds  of  this  series  showed,  on  dis- 
section, remains  of  cherries  ;  five  of  the  thirteen  had  only  this  fruit  in 
their  viscera.  The  remaining-  eight  birds  had,  in  addition,  and  certainly 
with  two  exceptions,  in  excess,  insect  food,  consisting  mainly  of  small 
brown  and  black-colored  beetles.  One  bird  had  in  its  stomach  two  earth- 
worms. Seven  young  birds,  taken  from  the  nests,  with  the  exception  of 
one  that  had  a  small  piece  of  cherry,  which,  however,  was  present  in  con- 
nection with  a  large  insect  mass,  furnished  only  proof  of  an  insectivo- 
rous diet,  which  was  so  comminuted  as  to  be  almost  unrecognizable. 
Sufficient  evidences,  however,  were  present  to  establish  the  fact  that 
beetles  were  an  important  element  in  their  bill  of  fare.  Two  birds  des- 
titute of  all  food  materials. 

Dr.  Coues  (Birds  of  the  Colorado  Valley)  writes :  "  The  Robin  is  a 
great  eater  of  berries  and  soft  fruits  of  every  description,  and  these  fur- 
nish, during  the  colder  portion  of  the  year,  its  chief  sustenance.  Some 
of  the  cultivated  fruits  of  the  orchard  and  garden  are  specially  attractive, 
and  no  doubt  the  birds  demand  their  tithe.  But  the  damage  in  this 
way  is  trifling  at  most,  and  wholly  inconsiderable  in  comparison  with 
the  great  benefit  resulting  from  the  destruction  of  noxious  insects  by 
this  bird.  The  prejudice  which  some  persons  entertain  against  the 
Robin  is  unreasonable  ;  the  wholesale  slaughter  of  the  birds  which  an- 
nually takes  place  in  many  localities,  is  as  senseless  as  it  is  cruel.  Few 
persons  have  any  adequate  idea  of  the  enormous,  the  literally  incalcu- 
lable, numbers  of  insects  that  Robins  eat  every  year.  It  has  been  found, 
by  careful  and  accurate  observations,  that  a  young  Robin,  in  the  nest, 
requires  a  daily  supply  of  animal  food  equivalent  to  considerable  more 
than  its  own  weight.  When  we  remember  that  some  millions  of  pairs 
of  Robins  raise  five  or  six  young  ones  once,  twice  or  even  three  times  a 
year,  it  will  be  seen  that  the  resulting  destruction  of  insects  is,  as  I  have 
said,  incalculable.  I  have  no  doubt  that  the  services  of  these  birds,  dur- 
ing the  time  they  are  engaged  in  rearing  their  young  alone,  would  en- 
title them  to  protection  were  the  parents  themselves  to  feed  exclusively 
upon  garden  fruits  for  the  whole  period.  But  at  this  time  the  diet  of 
the  old  birds  is  very  largely  of  an  animal  nature  ;  nor  is  this  the  only 
season  during  which  the  destruction  of  insects  goes  on.  Upon  the  first 
arrival  of  the  main  body  of  the  birds,  early  in  the  spring,  long  before  any 
fruits  are  ripe,  they  throw  themselves  into  newly-plowed  fields,  and  scat- 
ter over  meadows,  lawns  and  parks,  in  eager  search  for  the  worms  and 
grubs  that,  later  in  the  season,  would  prove  invincible  to  the  agricul- 
turist were  not  their  ravages  thus  stayed  in  advance  by  the  friendly  army 
of  Robins." 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


329 


FOOD  OF  THE  ROBIN. 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1 

January  3,  1883, 

New  Castle  county,  Del.  , 

Wild  grapes. 

2 

January  8.  1883. 

New  Castle  county,  Del.  , 

Small  seeds  and  remains  of  beetles. 

a 

Keb.        18,  1880, 

Chester  county.  Pa.  ,    . 

Beetles. 

4 

March     15,  1879, 

Chester  county.  Pa.  .    . 

Beetles. 

5 

March     15,  1879, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,    . 

Beetles. 

6 

March     15.  1879, 

Chester  county.  Pa.,    . 

Beetles. 

7 

March     15.  1879. 

Chester  county,  Pa.  ,    . 

Beetles  and  earthworms. 

8 

March     15,  1879, 

Chester  county.  Pa.,    . 

Earthworms. 

9 

March     15,  1879, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,    . 

Beetles. 

10 

March      6,  1880, 

East  Bradford,  Pa.  .  .  . 

Cut-worms. 

11 

Mar.  8,  10.  1880, 

Willistown,  Pa  

Small  worms  (stomach  distended). 

12 

Mar.  8,  10,  1880, 

Willistown,  Pa  

Small  worms  (stomach  distended). 

13 

Mar.   8.  10,  1880. 

Willistown,  Pa  

Beetles  and  small  seeds. 

14 

March     31,  1883. 

Chester  county,  Pa.  ,    . 

Beetles,  grasshoppers  and  grub  worm. 

15 

March     31.  1883, 

Chester  county.  Pa.,    . 

Beetles  and  larvae. 

16 

April        9,  1879. 

East  Bradford,  Pa..  .  . 

Beetles. 

17 

April        9,  1879, 

East  Bradford,  Pa.  ,  .  . 

Beetles. 

18 

April       13,  1879. 

West  Chester.  Pa.,  .  . 

Beetles  and  earthworms. 

19 

April       13.  1879, 

West  Chester,  Pa.  .  .  . 

Beetles  and  earthworms. 

20 

April      22,  1879. 

East  Bradford.  Pa.,     . 

Beetles. 

21 

April       22.  1879, 

East  Bradford.  Pa.,     . 

Beetles. 

22 

April        2,  1880, 

East  Bradford,  Pa.  ,     . 

Beetles. 

23 

April        7.  1880, 

East  Bradford,  Pa..     . 

Beetles  and  earthworms. 

24 

April        4,  1883. 

East  Bradford,  Pa..     . 

Beetles. 

25 

April       12,  1883, 

East  Bradford,  Pa.,     . 

Beetles. 

26 

April       12,  1883. 

East  Bradford,  Pa.,     . 

Beetles  and  other  insects. 

27 

April       17.  1883, 

East  Bradford.  Pa..     . 

Beetles. 

28 

May          4,  1880. 

Chester  county,  Pa.,    . 

Beetles. 

29 

May          4,  1880. 

Chester  county.  Pa.  ,    . 

Beetles. 

30 

May        12.  1880, 

Chester  county,  Pa.  ,    . 

Beetles  and  apterous  insects 

31 

May         12,  1880, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,    . 

Beetles  and  earthworms. 

32 

May        20,  1880, 

Chester  county,  Pa.  ,    . 

Beetles  and  earthworms. 

33 

May          5,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa.  ,    . 

Beetles. 

34 

May          7,  1883, 

Chester  county.  Pa.  ,    . 

Small  seeds  and  flies. 

35 

May          7,  1883, 

Chester  county.  Pa.,    . 

Small  worms  and  beetles. 

36 

Mav         18,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa.  ,    . 

Spiders. 

37 

38 

May         27,  1883. 
July        12,  1880, 

West  Chester,  Pa.     .  . 
West  Chester,  Pa.     .  . 

Vegetable  matter  and  few  particles  of  oyster  shells. 
Berries  and  small  seeds. 

39 

July        12,  1880, 

West  Chester,  Pa.     .  . 

Small  seeds. 

40 

July        23,  1882, 

West  Chester,  Pa.     .  . 

Berries  and  earthworm. 

41 

August  18,  1880. 

West  Chester,  Pa.     .  . 

Wild  cherries. 

42 

August  18.  1880, 

West  Chester.  Pa.     .  . 

Wild  cherries. 

43 

August  20,  1880, 

West  Chester,  Pa.     .  . 

Wild  cherries. 

44 

August  20.  1880, 

West  Chester,  Pa.     .  . 

Wild  cherries. 

45 

Sept.         9,  1882, 

Chester  county,  Pa.  ,    . 

Wild  cherries. 

46 

Sept.         9,  1882. 

Chester  county,  Pa.,    . 

Wild  cherries. 

47 

Sept.         9.  1882, 

Chester  county,  Pa.  ,    . 

Wild  cherries. 

48 

Sept.         9,  1882, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,    . 

Wild  cherries. 

49 

Sept.        9,  1882, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,    . 

Wild  cherries. 

50 

Sept.         9,  1882, 

Chester  county.  Pa.,    . 

Wild  cherries. 

51 

Sept.        9,  1882, 

Chester  county.  Pa.,    . 

Wild  cherries. 

52 

Sept.       21,  1882, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,    . 

Wild  cherries. 

53 

Sept.       21.  1882, 

Chester  county.  Pa.  ,    . 

Wild  cherries. 

54 

Sept.       21.  1882. 

Chester  county,  Pa.,    . 

Wild  cherries. 

55 

Sept.       21,  1882, 

Chester  county.  Pa.,    . 

Wild  cherries. 

56 

Sept.       21,  1882, 

Chester  county.  Pa..    . 

Wild  cherries. 

57 

October   2,  1880, 

West  Chester,  Pa.     .  . 

Spicewood  and  Dogwood  berries. 

58 
59 

October   2.  1880, 
October   2,  1880. 

West  Chester.  Pa,     .  . 
West  Chester,  Pa.     .  . 

Spicewood  and  Dogwood  berries. 
Spicewood  and  Dogwood  berries. 

60 

October   2.  1880, 

West  Chester.  Pa.     .  . 

Spicewood  and  Dogwood  berries. 

61 

October   3,  1880, 

West  Chester,  Pa.     .  . 

Beetles  and  Dogwood  berries. 

62 

October  3,  1880, 

West  Chester.  Pa.     .  . 

Beetles  and  Dogwood  berries. 

63 

October   4,  1880, 

West  Chester.  Pa.     .  . 

Spicewood  berries. 

64 

October   4,  1880. 

West  Chester,  Pa.     .  . 

Dogwood  berries. 

65 

October   4,  1880, 

West  Chester.  Pa.     .  . 

Dogwood  berries. 

66 

October   8,  1880, 

West  Chester,  Pa.     .  . 

Dogwood  berries  and  small  shells. 

67 
68 

October   8,  1880, 
October  8,  1880, 

West  Chester,  Pa.     .  . 
West  Chester,  Pa.     .  . 

Dogwood  berries  and  small  seeds. 
Dogwood  berries. 

69 
70 

October  8,  1880, 
October  8,  1880, 

West  Chester.  Pa.     .  . 
West  Chester,  Pa.     .  . 

Chicken  grapes  and  beetles. 
Chicken  grapes. 

71 

October   8,  1880. 

West  Chester,  Pa.     .  . 

Chicken  grapes. 

72 

October  8,  1880, 

West  Chester,  Pa.     .  . 

Chicken  grapes, 

n 

74 

Nov.        12.  1884. 
Dec.        20.  1884. 

East  Goshen.  Pa.  ,     .  . 
Newark,  Delaware,   .  . 

Beetles  and  few  grub  worms. 
Berries. 

75 

Dec.        25.  1884. 

Newark.  Delaware.  .  .   . 

Berries  and  inserts. 

330  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


GENUS  SIALIA  SWAINSON. 
Sialia  sialis  (LINN.) 

Bluebird. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  50,  adults  and  young). 

Length  about  6),  ;  extent  about  12^  inches  ;  bill  and  legs  blackish  ;    iris   brown. 

Adult  Male,  in  summer. — Upper  parts  uniform  azure  blue,  sides  of  head,  and  fore 
part  of  chin,  blue  ;  throat,  breast  and  sides  reddish-brown ;  abdomen,  anal  region 
and  under  tail-coverts,  white. 

Male,  in  fall  and  winter. — Blue  duller,  feathers  of  the  head,  neck  and  back  edged 
with  rusty ;  white  on  abdomen  more  extended ;  the  reddish-brown  or  chestnut  on 
the  throat  and  breast  is  darker. 

Adult  female. — Upper  parts  dull  grayish-blue,  brightest  on  rump,  tail  and  wings  : 
lower  parts  similar  to  male  but  much  duller.  The  young,  in  first  plumage,  have 
wings  and  tail  only  blue ;  top  of  head  and  upper  parts  are  grayish  or  brownish 
(usually  the  latter  color),  middle  of  back  more  or  less  streaked  with  white  ;  lower 
parts  are  whitish  (clearest  on  chin  and  abdomen) ;  throat,  breast  and  sides  are  thickly 
marked  with  irregular  brownish  or  dusky  spots.  In  this  plumage  the  Bluebird, 
appears  very  much  like  some  of  the  thrushes  from  the  spotted  appearance  of  its 
breast. 

Habitat. — Eastern  United  States  to  the  eastern  base  of  the  Rocky  mountains,  north 
to  Manitoba,  Ontario  and  Nova  Scotia,  south,  in  winter,  from  the  Middle  States  to 
the  Gulf  States  and  Cuba.  Bermudas,  resident. 

This  common  and  well-known  species  is  found  in  Pennsylvania  dur- 
ing* all  months  of  the  year,  but  in  the  height  of  the  winter  season  they 
are  much  more  plentiful  in  the  southern  counties  than  elsewhere  in  this 
region.  In  summer  Bluebirds  are  abundant  and  generally  distributed 
throughout  the  state.  These  birds,  when  not  engaged  in  building,  are 
usually  seen  in  flocks  of  from  ten  to  twenty  each,  sometimes,  however, 
particularly  in  the  fall,  they  collect  together  in  large  numbers,  as  will 
be  seen  from  the  following  extract  taken  from  one  of  my  note  books : 
"  October  23,  1884,  Girard  Manor,  Schuylkill  county,  Penn'a.  Bluebirds 
very  abundant ;  a  flock  of  about  two  hundred  have  every  day  for  the 
past  two  weeks  been  observed  distributed  over  the  field  surrounding  the 
residence  of  my  friend  and  host  M.  M.  MacMillan,  Esq.,  busily  engaged 
in  feeding  or  dressing  their  plumage  while  they  perch  on  the  leafless 
branches  of  the  numerous  young  trees  scattered  along  the  fences.  When 
feeding  the  birds  confine  their  operations  to  the  ground  and  feed  chiefly 
on  grasshoppers,  which  are  abundant.  The  fields  about  here  appear  to 
be  favorite  feeding  resorts,  as  they  come  in  large  numbers  in  the  morn- 
ing, and  remain,  if  not  driven  away,  for  about  two  hours.  They  also 
come  in  the  afternoon,  but  not  in  such  large  numbers."  The  Bluebird 
builds  a  scanty  and  loosely-constructed  nest  of  dried  grasses,  feathers 
or  other  soft  materials  in  holes  of  trees  or  stumps,  in  bird-boxes,  or  in 
hollows  of  posts  and  fence  rails.  The  eggs,  usually  four  or  five  in  num- 
ber, are  light  blue  and  unspotted.  They  measure  about  .81  long  by  .62 
wide.  The  eggs  of  this  bird  sometimes,  though  very  rarely,  are  white. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  331 


Two  broods  are  raised  in  a  season.  Since  the  pestiferous  English  Spar- 
rows have  become  so  numerous  Bluebirds,  in  common  with  a  number  of 
other  species  of  birds,  which  formerly  were  common  and  regular  sum- 
mer residents  about  yards,  gardens  and  parks,  have  been  driven  away. 
About  three  years  ago  the  writer  found  a  pair  of  Bluebirds,  that  had 
been  forced  to  leave  a  bird  box  by  a  flock  of  pugnacious  sparrows,  nest- 
ing in  a  hole  in  a  sand  bank.  The  hole  in  which  this  pair  of  birds 
nested  had  been  used  the  previous  year  by  a  pair  of  Bank  Swallows. 
When  insect-life  can  be  found  these  birds  prefer  it  to  any  other  diet, 
but  in  the  winter  season  when  such  food  is  not  easily  obtained  they 
feed  on  various  small  fruits  and  berries. 


(332) 


APPENDIX 


BIRDS  OF  PREY  AND  THE  "  SCALP "  ACT  OF  JUNE  23,  1885. 


In  an  agricultural  district,  the  preservation  of  the  hawks  and  owls  is  a  matter  of 
great  importance.  These  birds,  with  few  exceptions,  subsist  mainly  on  mice,  other 
small  quadrupeds  and  various  insects,  which  are  so  destructive  in  the  fields,  or- 
chards, gardens  and  about  buildings.  Until  within  a  quite  recent  period,  Pennsyl- 
vania has  been  burdened  with  an  act  of  assembly  awarding  premiums  for  the  de- 
struction of  these  well-known  feathered  friends  of  the  farmer.  The  members  of 
"The  West  Chester  Microscopical  Society,"  recognizing  the  great  wrong  and  injury 
which  was  being  accomplished  by  the  enforcement  of  this  odious  "Scalp  Act,"  as  it 
was  universally  called,  took  an  active  part  in  endeavoring  to  secure  its  repeal. 
From -reports*  issued  by  their  Committee  on  the  Protection  of  Birds  of  Prey,  the  fol- 
lowing extracts  are  taken  : 

"The  committee  appointed  at  the  last  meeting  of  the  Microscopical  Society  to  take 
into  consideration  the  act  of  assembly  passed  the  23d  day  of  June,  A.  D.  1885,  enti- 
tled 4An  act  for  the  destruction  of  wolves,  wild  cats,  foxes,  minks,  hawks,  weasels 
and  owls  in  this  commonwealth,'  beg  leave  to  report  that  the  chairman  of  the  com- 
mittee, Dr.  B.  H.  Warren,  ornithologist  of  the  Pennsylvania  State  Board  of  Agricul- 
ture, has  devoted  several  years  of  his  life  to  the  collection,  dissection  and  examina- 
tion of  birds,  and  that  all  of  the  committee  from  observation  and  experience  have 
believed  that  all  of  the  birds  denounced  in  the  law,  with  rare  exceptions,  have  been 
found  to  be  the  best  friends  of  the  farmer.  Lest,  however,  any  of  the  committee 
might  be  mistaken  they  have  corresponded  with  the  best  ornithologists  in  the 
country,  men  who  have  made  oVnithology  a  study  and  are  connected  with  that  de- 
partment in  the  Smithsonian  Institution,  asking  their  opinion  as  to  the  benefits  or 
injury  likely  to  arise  from  the  execution  of  the  law  against  the  birds  therein  named. 

"They  have  received  answers  from  Dr.  C.  Hart  Merriam,  ornithologist  of  the 
United  States  Department  of  Agriculture;  Dr.  Elliott  Coues,  vice  president  Amer- 
ican Ornithologists'  Union ;  Robert  Ridgway,  Curator  Department  of  Birds 
United  States  National  Museum  ;  Dr.  Leonhard  Stejneger,  assistant  curator  of  the 
same  department ;  H.  W.  Henshaw,  of  the  Bureau  of  Ethnology,  also  a  eollector  of 
birds  for  the  Smithsonian  Institution,  and  connected  with  the  late  Wheeler  Survey 
of  the  territories,  and  Lucien  M.  Turner,  a  collector  of  birds,  etc.,  for  the  Smith- 
sonian Institution  for  the  last  twelve  years.  These  answers,  which  are  annexed  to 
this  report,  all  bear  testimony  that  the  hawks  and  owls  are  of  great  benefit  to  the 
farmer,  and  render  him  far  greater  service  than  injury,  and  that  it  is  unwise  to  se- 
lect any  of  them  for  destruction. 

"The  committee  regrets  to  say  that  there  have  been  ninety  odd  hawks  and  a  dozen 
or  more  owls  killed  since  the  law  was  passed,  June  23,  1885,  at  a  cost  to  this  county 
of  about  $75,  and  that  the  slaughter  is  still  going  on. 

'Reports  of  the  Microscopical  Society  of  West  Chester.  Pa.,  on  the  act  of  assembly  of  said  state 
awarding  a  premium  for  the  destruction  of  hawks,  owls,  minks,  weasels,  etc.,  etc..  enacted  June  23, 
1885:  published  January,  1887. 

(333) 


334  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

"Believing,  therefore,  that  the  killing  of  these  birds  is  detrimental  to  the  interests 
of  the  agriculturists,  they  believe  that  instead  of  being  destroyed  they  should  be 
protected,  and  they,  therefore,  recommend  the  passage  of  the  following  resolution  : 
"Resolved  by  the  Microscopical  Society  of  West  Chester,  That  in  the  opinion  of 
the  society  the  act  of  June  23,  1885,  offering  a  premium  for  the  destruction  of  hawks 
and  owls,  is  unwise  and  prejudical  to  the  interest  of  agriculture,  and  so  far  as  those 
birds  are  concerned,  ought  to  be  repealed. 

"Resolved,  That  the  president  and  secretary  of  the  society  be  instructed  to  for- 
ward a  copy  of  the  above  resolution  to  our  members  of  the  legislature,  at  its  next 
session,  and  request  their  aid  towards  the  repeal  of  the  act  so  far  as  is  above  stated. 
"All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 

"B.  H.  WARREN, 
W.  TOWNSEND, 
THOS.  D.  DUNN, 
JAMES  C.  SELLERS, 

Committee. 
"  March  4,  1886." 


"U.  S.  DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE, 

WASHINGTON,  D.  C.,  March  2,  1886. 

"DR.   B.  H.  WARREN,  Ornithologist  of  the  Pennsylvania  State  Board  of  Agri- 
culture : 

"DEAR  SIR  :  Your  letter  of  the  18th  inst.  has  just  come  to  hand.  I  have  read 
with  surprise  and  indignation  the  copy  sent  of  section  1,  page  141,  of  the  laws  of 
Pennsylvania  for  1885,  in  which  a  bounty  is  offered  for  the  destruction  of  weasels, 
hawks  and  owls.  The  clause  purports  to  have  been  enacted  '  for  the  benefit  of  agri- 
culture,' etc. 

**The  possibility  of  the  passage  of  such  an  act  by  any  legislative  body  is  a  melan- 
ch<5iy  comment  on  the  widespread  ignorance  that  prevails  even  among  intelligent 
persons,  concerning  the  food  of  our  common  birds  and  mammals,  and  is  an  evidence 
of  the  urgent  need  of  just  such  systematic  and  comprehensive  investigations  as  this 
department  is  now  making  on  the  subject  of  the  relation  of  food  habits  to  agricul- 
ture. 

"There  are  two  kinds  of  weasels  in  the  Eastern  States.  The  smaller  kind  feeds 
chiefly  on  mice  and  insects,  and  is  not  known  to  kill  poultry.  The  larger  also  preys 
mainly  upon  mice  and  rats,  but  in  addition  sometimes  kills  rabbits  and  poultry. 
Both  species  are  friends  of  the  farmer,  for  the  occasional  loss  of  a  few  chickens  is  of 
trifling  consequence  compared  with  the  good  that  these  animals  are  constantly  doing 
in  checking  the  increase  of  mice. 

"You  ask  my  opinion  in  regard  to  the  beneficial  and  injurious  qualities  of  the 
hawks  and  owls  which  inhabit  Pennsylvania.  This  question  seems  almost  super- 
fluous in  view  of  the  fact  that  your  own  investigations,  more  than  those  of  any 
other  one  person,  have  led  to  a  better  knowledge  of  the  food-habits  of  these  birds, 
and  what  you  have  done  in  the  east  Prof.  Aughey,  of  Nebraska,  has  done  in  the  west. 
Many  others  have  added  their  'mites,' till  at  the  present  time  a  sufficient  array  of 
facts  has  been  accumulated  to  enable  us  to  state,  without  fear  of  contradiction,  that 
our  hawks  and  owls  must  be  ranked  among  the  best  friends  of  the  farmer.  With 
very  few  exceptions,  their  food  consists  of  mice  and  insects,  meadow-mice  and 
grasshoppers  predominating.  The  exceptions  are  the  fierce  Goshawk  from  the  north, 
and  two  smaller  resident  hawks,  Cooper's  and  the  Sharp-shinned,  which  really  de- 
stroy many  wild  birds  and  some  poultry.  These  three  hawks  have  long  tails  and 
short  wings,  which  serve,  among  other  characters,  to  distinguish  them  from  the 
beneficial  kinds. 

"Strange  as  it  may  appear  to  the  average  farmer,  the  largest  hawks  are  the  ones 
that  do  the  most  good.  Foremost  among  these  are  the  Rough-legged  and  Marsh 
Hawks,  which  do  not  meddle  with  poultry  and  rarely  prey  upon  wild  birds. 


APPENDIX.  335 

"Of  hawks  and  owls  collectively,  it  may  safely  be  said  that,  except  in  rare  in- 
stances, the  loss  they  occasion  by  the  destruction  of  poultry  is  insignificant  in  com- 
parison with  the  benefits  derived  by  the  farmer  and  fruit-grower  from  their  constant 
vigilance ;  for  when  unmolested  the  one  guards  his  crop  by  day  and  the  other  by 
night 

"  It  is  earnestly  to  be  hoped  that  you  will  succeed  not  only  in  causing  the  repeal 
of  the  ill-advised  act  which  provides  a  bounty  for  the  killing  of  hawks  and  owls, 
but  that  you  will  go  farther,  and  secure  the  enactment  of  a  law  which  will  impose  a 
fine  for  the  slaughter  of  these  useful  birds. 

"  Very  truly  yours, 

"  C.  HART  MEKRIAM, 
"  Ornithologist  of  the  Department  of  Agriculture.''1 


"UNITED  STATES  NATIONAL  MUSEUM, 

' '  Under  Direction  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution. 

"WASHINGTON,  March  3,  1886. 

"DR.  B.  H.  WARREN,  West  Chester,  Pa.: 

"DEAR  DR.  WARREN  :  I  am  just  in  receipt  of  your  letter  of  the  1st  instant,  and 
therefore  fear  that  my  reply  cannot  reach  you  in  time  for  use  at  the  meeting  to-mor- 
row evening.  It  affords  me  much  pleasure,  however,  to  comply  with  your  request 
for  my  views  concerning  the  food-habits  of  hawks  and  owls  and  their  relation  to 
man. 

"Of  all  the  species  which  you  name  there  are  only  two  which,  according  to  my 
best  judgment,  are  at  all  seriously  destructive  to  game  or  poultry,  these  beine 
Cooper's  Hawk  and  the  Great-horned  Owl.  The  rest,  with  the  possible  exception  of 
the  Sharp-shinned  Hawk,  which  certainly  is  destructive  to  the  smaller  birds,  my 
experience  leads  me  to  regard  as  very  decidedly  beneficial  to  man,  their  food  con- 
sisting very  largely,  if  not  chiefly,  of  the  smaller  rodents,  field  mice  especially. 
The  Red-shouldered  and  Red-tailed  Hawks  occasionally  pick  up  a  young  chicken 
or  rabbit,  but  I  feel  quite  sure  that  their  service  to  man  far  outweighs  the  injury 
which  they  thus  do.  The  little  Sparrow  Hawk  and  other  smaller  species  destroy 
large  numbers  of  grasshoppers,  locusts  and  other  large  insects. 

"Very  truly  yours, 

"ROBERT   RlDGWAY, 

"Curator,  Dept.  Birds.'" 


"  SMITHSONIAN  INSTITUTION, 
"WASHINGTON,  D.  C.,  March  S,  1886. 
"DR.  B.  H.  WARREN,  West  Chester,  Pa. : 

"DEAR  DOCTOR  :  In  reply  to  your  letter  of  the  3d  inst.,  asking  for  my  opinion  in 
regard  to  the  food,  etc.,  of  certain  hawks  and  owls  specified,  I  would  state  that  I  have 
read  Mr.  Robert Ridgway's  answer  to  a  similar  request  from  you  and  that  I  agree 
with  him  in  every  particular.  The  idea  of  persecuting  the  majority  of  hawks  and 
owls  systematically  is  simply  preposterous,  and  any  law  which  has  for  its  object 
their  indiscriminate  destruction  should  be  immediately  repealed,  since  most  of  the 
birds  alluded  to  are  among  the  very  best  friends  of  the  farmer.  In  regard  to  a  few 
species  it  is  well  worth  while  to  suspend  judgment  until  a  thorough  investigation  as 
to  their  habits  and  food  in  your  state  can  be  carried  out,  for,  as  you  are  well  aware, 
a  species  which  in  some  parts  of  the  country  and  at  some  seasons  may  be  injurious, 
in  other  regions  and  under  altered  circumstances  may  be  chiefly  beneficial. 

"I  remain,  yours  sincerely, 

"  LEON  HARD  STEJNEGER, 
"Assistant  Curator,  Dept.  of  Birds,  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus." 


236  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


Ammodr amus  henslo wii  ( A  UD  . ) . 

Henslow's  Sparrow. 

DESCRIPTION. 

A  little  smaller  but  very  similar  to  the  Grasshopper  Sparrow  ;  tail  a  little  longer  ; 
top  of  head  heavily  streaked  with  black,  divided  by  pale  greenish-gray  stripe  ;  occi- 
put and  back  of  neck  greenish-gray  with  black  streaks  ;  a  blackish  streak  back  of 
eye,  and  another  one  back  of  lower  mandible,  throat  and  belly  whitish,  conspicuously 
streaked  with  black  ;  the  breast,  sides  and  flanks  are  light  yellowish-brown  ;  upper 
surface  of  wings  mostly  chestnut ;  back  and  scapular  feathers  chestnut  with  con- 
spicuous black  centers,  edged  with  whitish,  except  towards  the  rump,  where  the 
edgings  are  mainly  olivaceous  or  buff. 

Habitat.— Eastern  United  States,  west  to  the  plains,  north  to  southern  New  Eng- 
land and  Ontario. 

Henslow's  Sparrow,  according-  to  my  observation,  occurs  in  Pennsyl- 
vania as  a  rare  spring-  and  fall  migrant.  It  frequents  fields  and  mea- 
dows, and  it  easily  escapes  notice  by  hiding-  in  the  weeds  and  grasses. 
Nests  of  this  species  have  been  taken  in  our  state  by  Dr.  Detwiller,  of 
Bethlehem,  and  Mr.  Roddy,  of  Millersville.  Dr.  Coues  says  it  is  "  com- 
mon about  Washington  (D.  C.),  where  it  breeds  in  fields  and  meadows  ; 
nest  on  the  ground  in  tufts  of  grass.  Eg-gs,  four  to  five,  greeiiish- 
white,  profusely  speckled  with  reddish,  .75  by  .57."  This  sparrow  ar- 
rives here  about  the  first  of  May  and  departs  in  September.  Food  about 
same  as  that  of  the  Grasshopper  Sparrow. 

GENUS  ZONOTRICHIA  SWAINSON. 
Zonotrichia  leucophrys  (FORST.). 

White-crowned  Sparrow. 

DESCRIPTION  {Plate  95). 

Length  about  7£  inches ;  extent  about  10|  ;  no  yellow  011  head  or  wing,  as  in  the 
next  species.  Adult  may  be  known  by  conspicuous  black  and  white  head  stripes, 
and  the  light  grayish  or  ashy  markings  well  shown  in  plate.  "  Young,  first  winter, 
head-stripes  chestnut-brown  and  dull  buff ;  otherwise  similar  to  adult.  Young, 
lirst  plumage,  crown  dusky-blackish  on  sides,  the  middle  whitish,  streaked  witli 
dusky  ;  throat  and  breast  more  or  less  streaked  with  dusky." — Ornith.  of  111.  Ridgw. 

Habitat. — North  America  at  large,  breeding  chiefly  in  tfte  Rocky  mountain  region 
(including  Sierra  Nevada)  and  northeast  to  Labrador. 

Regular,  but  not  common  spring  and  fall  migrant,  and  occasionally  a 
few  are  found  during  mild  winters  in  the  southern  parts  of  the  state. 
This  species  frequents  the  same  localities  as  the  White-throated  Spar 
row,  but  it  is  less  frequently  seen  in  woods  and  orchards  than  the  last- 
mentioned  bird,  being  mostly  found  about  brush  heaps,  along  hedge 
rows  and  bushy  places  in  fields  and  near  the  borders  of  woods,  etc.  Its 
food  consists  chiefly  of  small  seeds  of  different  grasses,  weeds,  etc.,  and 
it  also  feeds  to  some  extent  on  buds  and  blossoms  of  different  trees, 
bushes,  etc. 


Plate  58. 


1.  Red-breasted  Nut-hatch.      2,  3.  Purple  Martin. 
Male.  Male  and  Female, 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  237 


Zonotrichia  albicollis  (GMEL.). 

White-throated  Sparrow. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  95). 

Size  about  same  as  leucophrys. 

Male. — Two  broad  black  stripes  on  crown  divided  by  a  narrow  white  line,  a  showy 
yellow  stripe,  from  bill  to  middle  of  eye,  joins  a  white  stripe  which  runs  back  to  the 
occiput;  throat  patcli  white;  edge  of  wing  yellow.  Upper  parts  mostly  chestnut 
streaked  with  black  ;  two  showy  white  wing  bars  ;  sides  of  head,  neck  in  front,  and 
breast,  ashy  or  pale  lead  color.  The  female  is  similar  but  duller.  The  young  and 
most  specimens  taken  in  autumn  have  throat,  breast,  and  sides,  more  or  less  streaked 
with  dusky.  In  a  large  number  of  specimens  before  me  I  see  a  trace  of  yellow  be- 
tween the  eyes  and  bill,  as  well  as  on  edge  of  wing.  These  yellow  markings  and 
the  large  size  are  sufficient  to  identify  the  species. 

Habitat.—  Eastern  North  America,  west  to  the  plains,  north  to  Labrador  and  the 
Fur  Countries.  Breeds  in  northern  Michigan,  northern  New  York  and  northern  New- 
England,  and  winters  from  the  Middle  States  southward. 

This  beautiful  sparrow,  one  of  our  most  common  spring-  and  fall  mi- 
grants, is  found  usually  in  small  flocks  about  woods,  apple  orchards, 
gardens  and  shrubbery.  In  the  spring,  particularly  in  April,  and  the 
early  part  of  May,  the  White-throats  subsist  largely,  indeed  chiefly,  on 
the  buds  and  blossoms  of  the  apple,  beech  and  maple  trees.  During 
their  vernal  migrations  they  may  be  observed,  singly  or  in  flocks,  de- 
vouring the  tender  growth  of  beech  trees,  along  the  edges  of  woods, 
particularly  those  in  the  neighborhood  of  running-  streams.  While  it  is 
true  that  the  buds  and  blossoms  of  apple,  maple  and  some  few  other 
trees  are  eaten,  I  am  quite  certain  that  their  favorite  articles  of  diet,  in 
the  way  of  buds  and  blossoms,  are  those  of  the  beech  trees.  The  dam- 
ag-e  which  these  birds  do  to  apple  or  other  fruit  trees  is  so  trifling  that 
the  farmer  or  fruit-grower  should  not  be  prejudiced  ag-ainst  them.  This 
species  feeds  also  on  various  small  seeds  and  different  insects.  The 
White-throated  Sparrow  is  not  uncommon  as  a  winter  resident  in  several 
of  the  southern  counties  of  Pennsylvania. 


GENUS  SPIZELLA  BONAPARTE. 
Spizella  monticola  (GMEL.). 

Tree  Sparrow. 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  94). 

Length  about  6  inches  ;  extent  about  9^ ;  the  long  blackish  tail  feathers  are  edged 
with  whitish  ;  maxilla  dark  brown  ;  mandible  yellowish  ;  legs  brown  ;  toes  black- 
ish •,  crown  chestnut  (in  many  specimens  the  crown  feathers,  especially  in  center, 
are  bordered  with  grayish) ;  broad  whitish  line  over  eye,  and  back  of  eye  a  chestnut 
streak  ;  above,  especially  middle  of  back,  brownish  with  dark  streaks  and  paler 
edgings  ;  lower  parts  whitish  ;  ashy  throat  and  neck,  and  brownish  on  sides  and 
flanks.  No  dusky  streaks  on  lower  parts,  but  a  conspicuous  dusky  spot  in  middle 
of  breast. 


338  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

to  their  food.  Two  or  three  species  of  hawks  (those  belonging  to  the  genus  Archi- 
buteo)  are  notoriously  the  best  diurnal  mouse-catchers  of  all  birds.  Their  habits  to 
soar  over  the  level  tracts  devoted  to  grasses  and  search  for  their  food  are  so  well 
known  that  further  consideration  of  them  is  but  repetition  of  established  facts.  The 
bolder  species  of  hawks  so  rarely  commit  depredations  upon  the  farm-yard  fowls 
that  these  instances  are,  without  doubt,  the  result  of  an  individual  predilection  for 
which  the  entire  family  should  not  be  branded.  The  number  of  rabbits  and  mice 
which  the  hawks  annually  destroy  is  simply  incredible,  as  any  really  observant 
person  will  admit. 

"In  my  own  opinion,  the  destruction  of  the  hawks  and  owls  within  the  State  of 
Pennsylvania  will,  ere  many  years,  result  in  an  incalculable  injury  to  the  farmer, 
who  will  be  overrun  with  hordes  of  mice,  which  he  will  be  powerless  to  limit,  as 
their  reproductiveness,  when  undisturbed,  progresses  with  astonishing  rapidity. 

"It  would,  in  my  opinion,  be  a  wise  measure  to  have  the  act  relating  to  the  alleged 
noxious  birds  totally  repealed. 

"  Very  truly  yours, 

"LuciEN  M.  TURNER." 


"AMERICAN  ORNITHOLOGISTS'  UNION, 

• '  Committee  on  the  Protection  of  North  American  Birds, 
"NEW  YORK,  March  12,  1886. 

"Dr.  B.  H.  WARREN  : 

"DEAR  SIR:  The  A.  O.  U.  Committee  on  the  Protection  of  Birds,  recognizing 
the  great  importance  of  the  report  of  your  Committee  on  the  usefulness  of  Hawks 
and  Owls  to  the  farmer,  has  instructed  me  to  purchase,  if  possible,  one  hundred 
copies  of  the  paper  containing  your  report,  and  to  ask  if  we  may  have  the  privilege 
of  reprinting  it,  either  in  whole  or  in  part,  in  the  interest  of  the  cause,  if  at  any 
time  we  should  find  it  convenient  to  do  so.  Your  report  is  directly  in  the  line  of 
our  work  and  could  not  fail  to  be  a  telling  influence  for  good  if  well  circulated. 

"  Very  truly  yours, 

"  EUGENE  P.  BICKNELL, 
"Secretary." 

"Dr.  A.  K.  Fisher,  assistant  ornithologist  U.  S.  Department  of  Agriculture, 
Washington,  D.  C.,  in  a  letter  dated  January  15,  1887,  addressed  to  Or.  B.  H.  War- 
ren, says:  'Wednesday  I  received  eight  adult  Red-tails  and  two  Red-shouldered 
Hawks  from  a  man  in  Maryland.  *  *  *  I  find  nothing  but  mice  and  shrews  in 
their  crops  and  stomachs  (from  two  to  five  in  each).  I  found  two  specimens  of 
Sorex  and  the  following  specimens  of  mice  :  Mus  musculus,  Hesperomys  leucopus, 
Arvicola  riparius  and  Arvicola  pinetorum.  The  hawks  had  been  killed  because 
they  had  '  killed '  chickens  and  quails." 

"  The  committee  also  made  inquiries  of  the  commissioners  of  the  different  counties 
as  to  the  numbers  of  birds  and  mammals  that  have  been  killed  and  for  which 
bounties  had  been  paid,  and  received  answers,  up  to  July  1,  1886,  from  thirty -four 
counties.  The  number  of  hawks  killed  and  reported  up  to  that  date  was  9,237,  at  an 
expense  of  $7,335.10,  and  of  owls  2,499,  at  an  expense  of  $1,303.90. 

"In  many  cases,  however,  the  fees  of  the  magistrates  were  not  included,  but 
merely  the  bounties  paid  on  the  birds.  The  bounties  paid  for  minks,  weasels,  foxes 
and  wildcats,  raised  the  sums  reported  to  $15,165.95. 

"As  the  time  included  in  the  returns  does  not  come  down  to  date,  and  as  only 
thirty-four  out  of  sixty-seven  counties  made  reports,  it  is  believed  by  the  committee 
that  the  counties  pay  annually  not  less  than  $60,000  under  the  law  of  1885,  of  which 
the  largest  part  is  paid  for  the  destruction  of  hawks  and  owls.  That  they  are  the 
best  friends  of  the  farmer,  and  that  their  destruction  is  to  him  a  great  disadvantage, 
the  committee  thinks  that  it  has  already  shown,  by  the  letters  of  eminent  ornitholo- 
gists in  its  report  of  March  4  last." 


APPENDIX.  339 


The  State  Board,  through  its  efficient  secretary,  Thomas  J.  Edge,  Esq.,  labored 
most  industriously  to  show  the  economic  value  of  the  raptorial  birds,  and  secure 
the  repeal  of  that  part  of  the  "  Bounty  Act"  relating  to  the  hawks  and  owls. 

The  subjoined  report,  entitled  the  "  Bounty  or  'Scalp'  Act  of  1885,"  by  Thomas  J. 
Edge,  Esq.,  will  give  a  very  clear  idea  of  the  efforts  made  by  the  State  Board  through 
its  energetic  secretary : 

"  THE  BOUNTY  OB  '  SCALP  '  ACT  or  1885. 

44  During  its  session  of  1885,  the  Legislature  enacted  the  following  act  for  the  de- 
struction of  wolves,  wildcats,  foxes,  minks,  hawks,  weasels  and  owls  in  this  Com- 
monwealth : 

"SECTION  I.  Be  it  enacted,  etc.,  That  for  the  benefit  of  agriculture  and  for  the  pro- 
tection of  game,  within  this  commonwealth,  there  is  hereby  established  the  follow- 
ing premiums  for  the  destruction  of  certain  noxious  animals  and  birds,  to  be  paid 
by  the  respective  counties  in  which  the  same  are  slain,  namely,  for  every  wildcat 
two  dollars,  for  every  red  or  gray  fox  one  dollar,  for  every  mink  fifty  cents,  for 
every  weasel  fifty  cents,  for  every  hawk  fifty  cents,  and  for  every  owl,  except  the 
Arcadian,  Screech  or  Barn  owl,  which  is  hereby  exempted  from  the  provisions  of 
this  act,  fifty  cents. 

"SECTION  2.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  any  person,  having  killed  any  animal  or  bird 
mentioned  in  the  first  section  of  this  act,  and  who  is  desirous  of  availing  himself  of 
the  premiums  therein  provided,  to  produce  such  slain  animal  or  bird  before  any 
magistrate,  alderman  or  justice  of  the  peace  of  the  county  in  which  the  same  was 
killed,  and  make  affidavit  of  the  time  and  place  of  killing  the  same :  Provided, 
That  the  pelt,  if  entire  from  the  tip  of  the  nose  of  any  such  animal,  may  be  produced 
in  lieu  of  the  same,  when  so  preferred  ;  and  upon  the  reception  of  any  such  animal 
or  pelt,  or  bird,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  such  magistrate,  alderman  or  justice  of  the 
peace,  in  the  presence  of  said  person  killing  such  animal  or  bird,  and  one  elector  of 
the  county,  to  cut  off  the  ears  of  such  animal  or  the  head  of  such  bird,  and  in  the 
presence  of  said  persons  burn  the  same. 

"SECTION  3.  Upon  the  destruction  of  the  ears  or  heads  as  aforesaid,  the  magis- 
trate, alderman  or  justice  of  the  peace  shall  give  to  the  person  producing  such 
animal  or  bird,  a  certificate  of  compliance  with  the  provisions  of  this  act  directed  to 
the  commissioners  of  the  county  in  which  such  animal  or  bird  was  slain,  which 
certificate  shall  contain  the  following  facts  :  the  kind  of  animal  or  bird  killed,  when, 
where  and  by  whom  killed,  and  the  date  by  whom  and  in  the  presence  of  what 
elector  the  ears  of  said  animal  or  head  of  said  bird  was  destroyed,  and  upon  the  pro- 
duction of  such  certificate  the  said  commissioners  shall  give  an  order  upon  the 
county  treasurer  for  the  payment  of  the  premium  or  premiums  provided  by  this  act; 
and  it  shall  be  the  further  duty  of  the  magistrate,  alderman  or  justice  of  the  peace 
taking  the  affidavit,  provided  in  the  second  section  of  this  act,  to  file  the  same  forth- 
with, or  cause  the  same  to  be  filed  in  the  office  of  the  commissioners  of  the  county, 
and  upon  filing  the  same,  the  said  magistrate,  alderman  or  justice  of  the  peace  shall 
receive  from  the  county  treasurer,  the  sum  of  twenty  cents,  in  full  compensation  for 
all  services  under  this  act. 

"Quite  early  in  1886,  the  correspondence  of  the  Board  developed  the  fact  that  there 
existed  among  farmers,  taxpayers  and  the  several  county  officers  of  the  state,  a 
widespread  dissatisfaction  at  the  workings  and  effect  of  the  law.  It  also  was  evident 
that  in  some  one  of  its  many  forms,  this  act  would  be  brought  to  the  notice  of  the 
present  legislature,  and  the  secretary  of  the  Board  deemed  it  advisable  to  collect  all 
possible  data  on  either  side  of  the  question,  and  place  it  in  such  a  form  as  would  be 
readily  available  when  wanted.  As  a  step  in  this  direction,  a  circular  was  prepared 
and  sent  to  every  board  of  county  officers  in  the  state,  asking  for  information  upon 
the  following  points,  viz  : 

"  1.  The  total  amount  of  bounty  actually  paid  from  each  county  treasury  up  to 
November  1,  1886. 


340 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


"2.  The  effect  (in  the  opinion  of  the  officers)  of  the  repeal  of  the  law  so  far  as  it 
affects  hawks  and  owls. 

"3.  The  effect  of  the  repeal  of  the  whole  law. 

"Answers  to  the  first  question  gives  us  the  following  data,  which  show  the 
amount  paid  by  each  county  from  November  1,  1885,  to  November  1,  1886.  A  num- 
ber of  the  replies  stated  that  the  existence  of  the  act  did  not  become  generally 
known  until  Janury  1,  1886,  and  that  it  would  have  been  more  in  accordance  with 
their  experience  to  have  fixed  the  time  covered  from  January  1,  1886  to  January  1, 
1887.  A  number  state  that  had  this  latter  date  been  fixed,  they  would  have  increased 
the  amount  paid  fully  twenty  per  cent,  and  in  many  cases  more  was  paid  in  the 
two  months  ending  December  31,  1886,  than  in  any  six  preceding  months.  From 
this  we  are  inclined  to  suppose  that  it  will  be  perfectly  safe  to  increase  the  amounts 
given  below  iully  twenty  per  cent.,  in  order  to  cover  the  total  amount  paid  by  each 
county.  The  reports  give  the  following  as  the  amounts  actually  paid  between  the 
dates  given  in  the  circular,  viz:  from  November  1,  1885,  to  November  1,  1886: 


Adams, 

$3,800  00 

Indiana, 

$1  251  00 

Allegheny, 

53  00 

Juniata, 

584  50 

Armstrong, 

1,255  30 

Lackawanna, 

311  50 

Beaver,    .   .   . 

282  50 

Lancaster,  

715  10 

Berks, 

607  90 

Lawrence, 

535  90 

Blair, 

800  00 

Lebanon, 

202  20 

Bradford, 

1,666  55 

Lehigh, 

267  50 

Bucks, 

444  30 

Luzerne, 

625  00 

Butler, 

833  75 

Lycoming, 

1,039  00 

Cambria, 

1,181  10 

McKean, 

1,023  57 

130  00 

Mercer,    

.      2,319  7b 

Centre, 

1,827  05 

Mifflin,    .           ... 

357  60 

Chester, 

.    .         944  50 

Montgomery,       .              .    . 

85  20 

Clearfield. 

1,500  00 

Northampton,          .    . 

381  60 

Clinton,   .    .   . 

325  00 

Northumberland,  

566  70 

Columbia, 

.    .                 900  00 

Perry,                 

1,140  25 

Crawford, 

.    .   .         8,022  90 

Schuylkill,    

450  00 

Cum  berland, 

.    .    .             500  00 

Somerset,    

1,600  00 

T)auphin, 

450  00 

Sullivan,        

300  00 

Elk. 

350  00 

Susquehanna,              .   . 

1,200  00 

Erie, 

2,746  00 

Tioga,   . 

1,169  00 

Fayette, 

....             650  00 

Union,     .                     ..... 

410  00 

Forest, 

350  00 

Venango,    

952  60 

Franklin, 

967  00 

Warren,  

1,893  25 

Fulton, 

.    .                    700  00 

Washington,     .    . 

727  50 

Greene, 

..      1,200  00 

Wyoming,     

800  00 

Huntingdon, 

2,000  00 

"The  answers  to  the  second  and  third  queries  (the  effect  of  the  repeal  of  the  act 
so  far  as  it  applies  to  hawks  and  owls,  and  its  total  repeal)  were  answered  by  the 
respective  county  officers  as  follows  : 

"REPLIES  OF  COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS. 

"Adams. — 'The  law  should  be  repealed  except  as  to  wolves,  foxes  and  wild  cats; 

the  repeal  as  to  hawks  and  owls  would  be  a  saving  to  the  county  of  $2,500.' 
"Armstrong.—1  Repeal  the  whole  act.' 
"Allegheny. — 'So  far  as  this  county  is  concerned,  its  repeal  would  not  affect  the 

number  destroyed.' 

"Beaver. — 'The  commissioners  think  that  the  whole  act  should  be  repealed.' 

" Berks.— 'Our  opinion  is  that  the  whole  act  should  be  repealed.' 

"Bucks.— 'Think  that  the  portion  as  to  hawks  and  owls  should  be  repealed  ;  the 

balance  of  the  act  should  remain  as  it  now  is.' 


APPENDIX.  341 


^Bradford. — 'In  the  opinion  of  our  county  commissioners,  hawks  and  owls  are 
more  beneficial  to  farmers  than  detrimental,  but  they  are  of  the  opinion  that  the 
whole  act  should  be  repealed  for  the  following  reasons  : 

'"  1.  It  encourages  hunting  as  an  occupation. 

"  '2.  Because  the  motives  of  self-interest  will  prompt  the  destruction  of  all  these 
animals  found  doing  damage. 

"  '3.  Because  of  the  drain  upon  the  treasury.' 

"  Blair.— ' The  general  impression  is  that  the  act  should  stand  as  it  now  is ;  there 
is  no  doubt  that  it  is  beneficial  in  our  county  and  mountain  districts.  The  effect  of 
repealing  the  whole  act  would  be  very  injurious,  both  to  crops,  domestic  and  wild 
game.  The  law,  as  a  whole,  meets  with  general  approval.  The  expense  for  the  first 
year  seems  to  be  rather  burdensome,  but  in  the  future  it  will  be  much  less.  There 
were  some  three  hundred  and  fifty  foxes  killed  since  the  law  went  into  effect ;  and 
thus  it  will  be  a  short  time  until  every  destructive  and  noxious  animal  will  be  ex- 
terminated. What  is  true  with  regard  to  the  fox  is  also  true  in  relation  to  the  others 
named  in  the  act.' 

"  Butler. — '  The  act  as  a  whole  should  stand  as  it  is  ;  that  portion  relating  to  hawks 
and  owls  should  not  be  repealed.' 

"  Cambria. — 'We  favor  the  repeal  of  the  whole  law,  and  especially  that  portion 
referring  to  hawks  and  owls.' 

"  Cameron. — 'The  law  should  be  repealed  so  far  as  it  refers  to  minks, -hawks  and 
owls.  It  has  a  tendency  to  encourage  a  certain  class  of  men  who  devote  their  entire 
time  to  hunting.' 

"Centre. — '  We  believe  the  act  ought  to  be  repealed  as  to  hawks  and  owls.  The 
effect  of  repealing  the  whole  act  would  be  a  saving  of  thousands  of  dollars  to  the 
taxpayers  annually.  There  would  be  about  as  many  of  the  destructive  mammals 
and  birds  killed  if  the  act  was  repealed,  and  by  persons  whose  duty  it  is  to  protect 
their  property.  We  emphatically  favor  repealing  the  entire  act  relating  to  bounties 
on  scalps.' 

"Chester.— 'The  opinion  of  the  county  commissioners  and  farmers  generally  is 
that  the  portion  of  the  act  referring  to  hawks  and  owls  should  be  repealed.  As  to 
repealing  the  whole  act,  there  is  a  difference  of  opinion.  Many  do  not  favor  the  re- 
peal as  to  foxes,  minks  and  weasels.  We  have  paid  bounties  on  the  following :  Six 
hundred  and  sixty-six  hawks,  sixty  owls,  two  hundred  and  eight  minks,  two  hun- 
dred and  forty-eight  weasels  and  one  hundred  and  seven  foxes.' 

"  Clarion.—'  We  believe  that  the  entire  act  should  be  repealed.  Its  repeal  would 
be  a  benefit  to  the  taxpayers,  and  no  disadvantage  to  the  farmers.' 

"  Clearfleld.—1 Two-thirds  of  the  amount  has  been  paid  upon  hawks  and  owls; 
minks,  hawks  and  owls  should  be  abandoned  ;  wolves,  wrild  cats  and  foxes  should 
be  retained.' 

"Clinton. — 'Think  there  might  be  a  bounty  on  wolves,  wild  cats  and  minks; 
would  be  satisfied  writh  the  repeal  of  the  whole  act.' 

"  Columbia.  — '  Repeal  it  as  to  owls,  as  they  feed  on  mice,  etc.  The  bounty  should 
be  continued  on  hawks,  as  they  feed  mainly  upon  poultry.  Repealing  the  whole  act 
would  have  no  injurious  effects  ;  the  foxes  would  be  killed  in  this  county  just  the 
same.  Weasels  destroy  rats,  mice,  etc.  Those  who  are  injured  by  minks  would 
kill  them  just  the  same  without  the  law.' 

"  Crawford. — 'The  commissioners  are  of  the  opinion  that  the  whole  law  should  be 
repealed  at  the  earliest  possible  moment.  The  commissioners  are  all  farmers,  and 
they  consider  the  destruction  of  these  mammals  and  birds  a  great  damage  to  the 
farmers ;  they  are  the  farmers'  best  friends.' 

"  Cumberland. — '  We  do  not  see  that  our  county  will  receive  any  benefit  by  con- 
tinuing in  effect  any  part  of  the  act,  and  the  repeal  of  the  entire  act  will  relieve  the 
county  of  an  unnecessary  and  unwarranted  expense.' 

"  Dauphin.—1  The  repeal  of  the  act  would  not  affect  the  destruction  of  hawks  and 
owls,  as  farmers,  for  self-protection,  would  destroy  all  they  possibly  could.  Except 
as  to  wolves  and  foxes,  we  think  the  law  should  be  repealed.' 


342  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

"  Elk. — '  Repeal  the  whole  act ;  there  would  be  just  as  many  killed.' 

"Erie. — 'It  is  our  unanimous  opinion  that  the  entire  act  should  be  repealed  ;  it  is 
burdensome  and  inimical  to  the  best  interests  of  the  farming  community,  and  a  use- 
less expenditure  of  the  county  money.' 

"  Fayette. — '  No  complaints  from  the  people  at  large.  Much  trouble  to  the  county 
officers  with  the  necessary  papers,  etc. ' 

"  Forest. — 'It  would  be  wise  to  repeal  the  act  as  far  as  it  refers  to  hawks,  owls  and 
minks.' 

"  Franklin.—1  The  act  ought  to  be  repealed.  Twenty-five  wild  cats,  four  hundred 
and  twenty-five  foxes,  one  hundred  and  fifty-five  minks,  eighty-three  weasels,  six 
hundred  and  seventy-eight  hawks  and  sixty-eight  owls.' 

"  Fulton. — '  Our  opinion  is  favorable  to  continuing  the  law  as  it  now  is.' 

"  Greene. — 'Repeal  the  whole  act,  or  at  least  that  portion  referring  to  hawks  and 
owls.' 

"  Huntingdon. — 'The  law  of  1885  should  be  repealed,  and  if  any  law  is  retained  it 
should  be  the  same  as  the  old  law,  having  the  orders  directed  to  the  county  commis- 
sioners instead  of  to  the  county  treasurers.  It  makes  considerable  extra  work  for 
the  commissioners'  clerk,  and  often  puts  persons  entitled  to  an  order  to  great  incon- 
venience to  have  it  signed  by  the  county  commissioners  in  order  to  get  the  money, 
as  the  commissioners  in  a  majority  of  the  counties  only  meet  once  each  month.  A 
majority  of  the  people  in  the  agricultural  districts  of  this  county  would  oppose  a  re- 
peal of  the  act. ' 

"  Indiana. — 'Our  opinion  is  that  the  bounty  should  be  taken  off  everything  men- 
tioned in  the  act  of  June  23,  1885,  and  an  act  passed  to  pay  a  bounty  for  every  skunk 
killed.' 

"Juniata. — 'The  entire  act  should  be  repealed.' 

"  Lackawanna. — '  We  think  that  the  whole  act  should  be  repealed,  as  it  is  a  nui- 
sance, especially  so  far  as  it  refers  to  hawks  and  owls.' 

"  Lancaster. — '  The  repeal  of  the  act  would  have  a  good  effect  so  far  as  our  county 
is  concerned.' 

"Lawrence. — 'It  is  the  unanimous  opinion  of  the  board  that  the  whole  act  should 
be  repealed,  believing  that  the  law  is  entirely  unnecessary  so  far  as  our  countj^  is 
concerned.  We  have  not  heard  one  farmer  in  the  county  approve  it,  but  many  of 
them  condemn  it.  Its  repeal  is  earnestly  requested  by  all  who  have  any  knowledge 
of  its  workings.' 

"Lebanon.— 'The  commissioners  think  that  the  part  of  the  law  referring  to  owls 
and  hawks  should  be  repealed  by  all  means.  Aside  (from  the  above  owls  and 
hawks),  we  pay  very  little  bounty,  as  foxes  and  other  mammals  are  not  sufficiently 
numerous  to  affect  our  county.' 

"  Lehigh. — '  Repeal  the  whole  act  if  it  can  be  done  ;  if  not,  then  repeal  that  portion 
referring  to  hawks  and  owls,  by  all  means.' 

"  Ly coming.—1  Its  repeal  would  disappoint  the  farmers  in  this  county.  In  their 
opinion,  instead  of  a  repeal,  skunks  or  polecats  should  be  added.' 

"  McKean.— 'Think  that  the  whole  act  should  be  repealed,  or  at  least  that  partre. 
ferring  to  hawks  and  owls.' 

"  Mercer.— '  We  are  radically  in  favor  of  the  repeal  of  the  whole  act,  and  in  this 
we  are  supported  by  the  sentiment  of  the  entire  farming  community  of  our  county.' 

"  MiJflin.—'We  favor  the  repeal  of  that  portion  which  relates  to  hawks  and  owls, 
and  leaving  the  remainder  as  it  now  is.' 

"  Montgomery.— 'The  repeal  of  that  portion  relating  to  hawks  and  owls  would  be 
good.' 

"  Northampton.—1  We  are  not  in  favor  of  repealing  the  act,  and  prefer  it  as  it  now 
stands.' 

"  Perry. — 'The  repeal  or'  the  law  would  be  worse  than  useless.  The  money 
already  paid  in  would  be  thrown  away  In  the  future,  fewer  mammals  and  birds 
will  be  found  and  destroyed  ;  the  number  will  gradually  decrease  each  year.' 

" Schuylkill. — 'The  repeal  or  non-repeal  of  the  law  is  immaterial  to  us.' 


APPENDIX.  343 


"Susquehanna. — 'Favorable  to  a  repeal  of  the  act.' 

"  Tioga.— 'The  act  referred  to  is  a  nuisance,  and  should  be  repealed  as  soon  as 
possible.' 

"  Union. — 'The  commissioners  recommend  the  repeal  of  the  whole  bill,  except  as 
to  foxes. ' 

"  Venango.—1"  We  are  in  favor  of  the  repeal  of  the  whole  act,  believing  that  it  would 
give  entire  satisfaction  to  the  taxpayers  of  our  county.' 

"  Warren.—'  Repeal  the  whole  act  by  all  means.' 

"  Washington.—'  It  is  the  opinion  of  the  commissioners  that  the  only  damage  by 
hawks  and  owls  is  the  destruction  of  our  game  birds,  which  is  only  felt  by  hunters; 
on  the  other  hand,  by  the  destruction  of  mice  and  other  small  vermin,  they  are 
beneficial  to  the  farmer.  The  repeal  of  the  whole  act  would  be  beneficial  to  our 
farmers.' 

"  Wyoming.—1  The  effect  of  the  repeal  would  be  good.' 

"  A  number  of  the  commissioners  have  appended  to  their  reports  a  list  of  the 
number  of  each  kind  of  mammal  or  bird  upon  which  bounty  has  been  paid.  As  in- 
dicative of  the  relative  proportion  of  the  bounties  upon  each,  we  give  the  following  : 

"  Chester.—  Hawks,  666  ;  owls,  60 ;  minks,  208  ;  weasels,  248,  and  foxes  107. 

"  Franklin.—  Hawks,  678 ;  owls,  68 ;  wild  cats,  25  ;  foxes,  425  ;  minks,  155,  and 
weasels,  83. 

"Several  of  the  commissioners  state  that  the  premiums  upon  hawks  and  owls 
constitute  more  than  fifty  per  cent,  of  the  total  amount  paid,  while  several  of  the 
commissioners  call  attention  to  the  fact  that  wolves  are  enumerated  in  the  title,  but- 
are  not  provided  for  in  the  body  of  the  bill. 

"  In  addition  to  the  collection  of  data  in  this  direction  the  ornithologist  of  the 
Board,  Dr.  B.  H.  Warren,  of  West  Chester,  Pa.,  also  had  his  attention  directed  to  the 
actual  results  of  the  effect  of  the  law  :  First,  as  it  relates  to  hawks  and  owls,  and, 
second,  as  a  whole.  The  data  which  was  collected  by  him  is  partially  shown  in  an 
article  in  another  portion  of  this  report,  and  in  a  lecture  delivered  at  the  annual 
meeting  of  the  board  in  January  last. 

"  As  a  condensation  of  a  large  amount  of  correspondence  upon  this  subject,  which 
has  reached  the  office  of  the  Board  during  the  past  year,  we  give  the  following  as 
covering  the  main  points  : 

"  This  act  should  be  repealed  because — 

"  1.  It  causes  a  drain  upon  the  treasuries  of  the  respective  counties  which  is  not 
warranted  by  the  results  produced. 

"2.  Hawks  and  owls,  by  the  destruction  of  insects,  confer  a  benefit  which  is  much 
more  than  an  offset  for  the  poultry  destroyed  by  them. 

"3.  Increased  duties  are  imposed  upon  county  officers,  for  whicti  no  additional 
compensation  has  been  provided. 

"4.  In  a  number  of  cases  county  officers  have  been  imposed  on,  and  bounties  ille- 
gally drawn. 

"5.  It  encourages  a  certain  class  to  follow  hunting  as  a  means  of  livelihood,  and 
to  the  exclusion  of  other  labor. 

"6.  Self-interest  would  lead  to  the  destruction  of  nearly  as  many  of  these  noxious 
mammals  and  birds. 

"7.  The  repeal  of  the  act  will,  by  the  increase  of  the  number  of  hawks,  cause 
greater  destruction  of  field  mice,  which  destroy  large  amounts  of  clover  and  clover 
roots  each  year. 

"The  payment  of  bounties  for  any  purpose  is  based  upon  wrong  principles,  and 
should  be  discouraged. 

"The  act  should  not  be  repealed  because— 

"  1.  This  being  the  first  year  of  its  action,  the  total  amount  paid  will  be  greatly  in 
excess  of  that  of  any  subsequent  year,  and  owing  to  the  increased  scarcity  each  year, 
the  amount  paid  will  be  annually  less. 

"2.  By  a  repeal  the  good  effects  of  bounties  already  paid  would  be  practically  lost 

"  3.  The  destruction  of  these  birds  and  mammals  protects  game. 


344  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

"4.  All  laws  are  liable  to  abuse  and  violation,  and  this  one  is  no  exception  to  the 
general  rule. 

"5.  The  effect  of  a  continuance  of  the  law  as  it  now  is  will  be  to  increase  the  pro- 
duction of  poultry  and  decrease  its  price." 

From  letters  kindly  sent  by  the  commissioners  of  the  several  counties  hereafter 
named,  I  am  enabled  to  show  part  of  the  animals  on  which  bounty  was  paid  for  a 
period  of  some  six  months,  i.  e.,  from  January  1,  1886,  to  July  1,  1886.  From  reliable 
informants  I  find  that  the  "Scalp  Act"  was  not  generally  known  to  be  in  existence 
until  about  January  1,  1886  : 

Allegheny. — 4  "cat"  owls,  i.  e.,  Great-horned  Owls. 

Armstrong. — 167  hawks ;  49  owls,  "also  quite  an  amount  for  foxes,  minks  and 
weasels." 

Adams.— "  We  have  paid  since  the  first  of  October,  1885,  to  July  3,  1886,  for  1,716 
hawks,  402  owls,  or  $858.00  for  hawks,  and  $201.00  for  owls  ;  total,  $1,059.00.  The 
premiums  on  weasels,  minks  and  foxes  are  about  one-third  of  the  above.  A  bad 
feature  about  the  act  is  the  apparent  manner  in  which  the  counties  are  imposed 
upon,  in  farming  hawks,  owls,  foxes,  etc." 

Bucks.— 138  hawks  ;  16  owls. 

Bradford. — Total  amount  paid  for  all  animals  from  January  8,  1886,  to  August  1, 
1886,  inclusive,  $996.00.  "  One-half  for  hawks  and  owls,  balance  for  weasels,  minks 
and  foxes." 

Blair.— 123  hawks  ;  13  owls. 

Beaver. — 25  hawks ;  12  owls. 

Clarion. — 165  hawks  ;  20  owls. 

Centre.— US  hawks  ;  26  owls. 

Cameron.— -3  hawks  ;  2  owls. 

Ctinton.—Sl  hawks  ;  8  owls. 

Crawford. — "  Bounty  account  not  kept  so  as  to  show  how  many  of  each  kind  paid 
for ;  the  first  five  months  they  were  very  equally  divided,  but  in  May  and  June 
hawks,  weasels  and  owls  predominated  ;  hawks  leading  the  list.  We  paid  the  first 
bounty  on  a  fox  November,  1885,  $1.00  ;  December,  $275.90  ;  January,  1886,  $279.20; 
February,  $182.00  ;  March,  $207.00 ;  April,  $236.40;  May,  $347.60;  June,  $1,079.00; 
total,  $2,608.10,  including  justices'  fees." 

Chester. — 1885— 11  hawks  ;  6  minks  ;  5  weasels  ;  1  fox.  1886 — from  January  1  to 
December,  inclusive,  666  hawks  ;  60  owls  ;  107  foxes  ;  208  minks  ;  248  weasels.  1887— 
from  January  1  to  March  18,  inclusive,  289  hawks;  79  owls  ;  84  minks  ;  7  foxes  ; 
199  weasels. 

Delaware.— 3  hawks;  3  foxes. 

Erie. — 414  hawks;  225  owls  ;  107  foxes.  "It  is  rapidly  on  the  increase;  one-fifth 
of  the  whole  number  has  been  within  the  last  two  weeks."  This  letter  was  dated 
July  13,  1887. 

Fayette.  —  278  hawks ;  80  owls ;  82  foxes ;  24  minks ;  6  wild  cats. 

Forest.— 110  foxes ;  37  hawks ;  owls  2. 

Franklin.—  In  1885,  24  wild  cats ;  278  foxes ;  97  minks  ;  22  hawks  ;  9  weasels ;  2 
owls.  In  1886,  from  January  1  to  July  1,  9  wild  cats  ;  287  foxes  ;  76  minks ;  123  hawks ; 
22  weasels ;  30  owls. 

Huntingdon. — 64  owls  ;  347  hawks ;  56  minks ;  38  weasels  ;  362  foxes  ;  12  wild  cats. 

Indiana.—  350  foxes  ;  250  weasels  ;  300  hawks ;  150  owls. 

Juniata.—lbO  hawks ;  70  foxes  ;  20  owls. 

Lackawanna. — 70  foxes  ;  30  hawKs ;  5  weasels  ;  7  wild  cats  ;  25  minks. 

Lycoming.—7W  hawks  and  owls  ;  250  foxes.  "  We  pay  about  $115.00  per  month  for 
destroying  the  above-named  animals." 

Mifflin. — 71  hawks  ;  14  owls  ;  17  weasels ;  14  minks. 

Montour.—"  Paid  for  all  animals  $161.40." 

Mercer.— "Our  people  did  not  become  apprised  of  the  passage  of  the  act  to  which 
you  refer  until  some  time  after  its  approval,  and  as  a  result  we  did  not  have  any  cer- 
tificates presented  until  after  the  first  of  December,  1885.  Since  that  time  we  have 


•8 


APPENDIX.  345 


paid  out  $1,300.00,  and  of  this  amount  fully  $1,000.00  has  been  paid  for  hawks  and 
owls,  mostly  hawks ;  have  not  paid  for  more  than  10  or  12  foxes." 

McKean.—ll  wild  cats  ;  137  foxes ;  115  minks  ;  120  hawks ;  81  owls  ;  22  weasels. 

Montgomery. — 42  hawks  ;  8  foxes ;  3  owls. 

Pike. — 32  hawks  ;  4  owls  ;  63  foxes ;  9  weasels ;  14  minks  ;  4  wild  cats. 

Perry.— 465  hawks;  owls,  62;  foxes,  453;  130  minks;  52  weasels.  Killed  during 
1885  (December)  and  to  date,  July  6,  1886." 

Somerset.— 14  wild  cats ;  69  owls  ;  410  hawks  ;  250  weasels  ;  215  minks  ;  270  foxes. 
Magistrates'  fees,  $129.75. 

Sullivan. — 46  hawks  and  owls ;  49  foxes. 

Susquehanna.—In  1885, 19  foxes  ;  4  minks  ;  5  weasels ;  2  hawks  ;  4  owls.  January  1 
to  July  5,  1886,  foxes,  217  ;  minks,  171 ;  weasels,  83  ;  hawks,  223 ;  owls,  55. 

Union.—  Hawks,  $43.40;  owls,  $12.60;  minks,  $21.00 ;  weasels,  $11.60;  fees  included. 

Venango.— 126  hawks  ;  28  owls  ;  102  foxes. 

In  connection  with  the  above  I  give  the  additional  facts.  Centre  county  for  the 
year  1886  paid $1,529.00  as  follows:  1,356  skunks  at  50  cents;  377  foxes;  383  hawks; 
172  weasels  ;  57  owls  ;  13  wild  cats  ;  712  scalp  affidavits  at  20  cents.  From  the  large 
number  of  skunks  returned  it  would  appear  that  this  county  has  a  "special  act," 
which  allows  bounty  for  these  animals.  Delaware  county,  on  December  22,  1886, 
had  paid  bounty  on  3  foxes ;  22  hawks  and  1  weasel.  Perry  county  for  1886  paid 
for  foxes,  minks,  weasels  and  wild  cats  $468.85,  and  for  hawks  and  owls  $760.60. 
Chester  county  for  1886 ,paid  $1,159.30  for  827  hawks,  108  owls,  231  minks,  334  weasels, 
111  foxes  and  $288.30  for  affidavits.  The  largest  amount  of  bounty  was  paid  by 
Crawford  county,  which  was  forced  to  make  an  outlay  of  over  ten  thousand  dollars, 
a  large  portion  of  which  was  for  hawks  and  owls.  In  conclusion  I  might  add  that 
by  the  enforcement  of  this  unjust  legislative  act  the  county  treasuries,  in  a  period 
of  about  eighteen  months,  were  depleted  to  the  extent  of  over  $100,000,  of  which 
sum,  probably,  not  less  than  $75,000  were  paid  for  the  destruction  of  hawks  and  owls. 
Agriculturists,  naturalists  and  others  engaged  in  the  protection  of  these  birds  are 
under  great  obligations  to  the  able  chairman  of  the  Senate  Agricultural  Committee, 
Hon.  A.  D.  Harlan,  of  Chester  county,  Pa,  Senator  Harlan,  after  being  in  receipt 
of  numerous  resolutions  passed  by  farmers'  clubs,  institutes  and  grange  organiza- 
tions throughout  this  commonwealth,  when  waited  upon  by  members  of  the  State 
Agricultural  Board  and  a  committee  of  naturalists,  and  being  convinced  that  the 
preservation  of  raptorial  birds  was  of  utility  to  the  farmer  as  well  as  gratifying  to 
the  scientist,  at  once  gave  his  careful  attention  to  the  matter,  and  by  his  earnest- 
ness and  industry  in  his  committee  and  of  the  body  of  which  he  is  a  member,  did 
very  much  to  secure  the  repeal  of  this  pernicious  statute. 


346  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

FOOD  OF  HAWKS  AND  OWLS.* 

By  Dr.  A.  K.  FISHER,  Assistant   Ornithologist. 

The  present  brief  synopsis  of  results,  which  is  preliminary  to  a  special  report  now 
in  preparation  on  the  food  habits  of  the  hawks  and  owls  of  the  United  States,  is  based 
on  the  examination  of  1,072  stomachs,  651  of  which  are  in  the  possession  of  the  de- 
partment. Of  the  421  stomachs  not  in  the  department  collection,  the  greater  num- 
ber were  examined  by  Dr.  B.  H.  Warren,  state  ornithologist  of  Pennsylvania,  and 
other  members  of  the  American  Ornithologists'  Union.  The  remainder  were  com- 
piled from  Professor  Samuel  Aughey's  "  Notes  on  the  Nature  of  the  Food 
of  the  Birds  of  Nebraska,"!  and  Mr.  Edward  Swift's  recent  article  on  "The 
Food  of  Rapacious  Birds.  "J 

Of  the  1,072  stomachs  examined,  89  were  empty.  Of  the  983  containing  food,  57 
contained  poultry  ;  20,  game  birds  ;  177,  other  birds  ;  528,  mice  ;  137,  other  mammals  ; 
51,  reptiles  and  batrachians,  and  255,  insects.  On  looking  at  the  following  tables  it 
will  be  seen  that  certain  species  feed  principally  on  mice  and  insects,  while  others  feed 
chiefly  on  poultry  and  small  birds.  In  the  latter  category,  fortunately,  there  are 
but  5  species  in  the  eastern  states,  namely,  the  Sharp-shinned,  Cooper's,  Duck,  and 
Pigeon  Hawks,  and  the  Great-Horned  Owl.  Taking  out  the  126  stomachs  of  these 
five  species,  there  remain  857  stomachs  of  23  species,  of  which  31  contained  poultry  ; 
11,  game  birds  ;  109,  other  birds  ;  518,  mice ;  125,  other  mammals ;  49,  reptiles  and 
batrachians,  and  241,  insects.  In  other  words,  poultry  was  found  in  but  3.6  per  cent, 
of  the  857  stomachs,  while  mice  were  found  in  64.4  per  cent. 

In  the  accompanying  table  the  names  of  the  animals  found  in  the  stomachs  are 
given  in  general  terms,  such  as  mouse,  mole,  shrew.  In  nearly  all  cases  (more  than 
99  per  cent.)  the  exact  species  of  each  has  been  determined  and  recorded,  and  will 
be  given  in  the  final  report.  This  is  important,  inasmuch  as  allied  species  often  dif- 
fer in  economic  consequence.  Some  small  mammals  are  beneficial,  and  the  injuri- 
ous species  are  harmful  in  different  degrees,  according  to  their  food  habits  and  the 
character  of  the  places  which  they  inhabit. 

The  following  persons  have  contributed  stomachs  of  hawks  and  owls  to  the  de- 
partment collection  :  Dr.  W.  C.  Avery,  Vernon  Bailey,  W.  B.  Barrows,  F.  M.  Chap- 
man, Hubert  L.  Clark,  William  Couper,  F.  T.  Cuthbert,  E.  O.  Damon,  L.  M.  Davies, 
J.  L.  Davison,  F.  J.  Dixon,  William  F.  Doertenbach,  William  Dutcher,  Jonathan 
Dwight,  Jr.,  Dr.  A.  K.  Fisher,  W.  K.  Fisher,  M.  M.  Green,  C.  C.  Hanmer, 
E.  M.  Hasbrouck,  A.  H.  Hawley,  J.  H.  Hendrickson,  W.  F.  Hendrickson,  H. 
W.  Henshaw,  H.  K.  James,  C.  A.  Keeler,  William  G.  W.  Leizear,  J.  B.  Lewis, 
William  Lloyd,  F.  A.  Lucus,  Dr.  C.  Hart  Merriam,  G.  S.  Miller,  Jr.,  H.  H.  Miller, 
J.  Percy  Moore,  F.  S.  Place,  Charles  W.  Richmond,  Robert  Ridgway,  C.  B.  Riker, 
John  H.  Sage,  W.  E.  Saunders,  J.  M.  Shaffer,  Dr.  Hugh  M.  Smith,  R.  W.  Smith,  F. 
Stephens,  Willard  E.  Treat,  Dr.  B.  H.  Warren,  F.  S.  Webster,  H.  G.  White,  Otto 
Widmann,  A.  H.  Wood. 

*Food  of  hawks  and  owls.     By  Dr.  A.  K.  Fisher,  assistant  ornithologist.     From  annual  report,  United 
States  Department  Agriculture  for  1887.     Washington,  D.  C. ,  pp.  402-422. 
t  First  annual  report  of  United  States  Entomological  Commission,  Appendix,  pp.  42-4('«.  1878. 
*  Forest  and  Stream.  Vol.  XXX,  No.  6.  Wrch  1,  1888,  p.  104. 


APPENDIX. 


347 


STATEMENT  OF  THE   STOMACH  CONTENTS  OF  MORE  THAN  1,000  HAWKS 

AND  OWLS. 

[In  Dr.  Warren's  specimens,  the  star  (*)  Indicates  that  the  stomach  contained  food  of  the  character  spec 
ifled  in  the  column-heading  under  which  it  occurs,  but  that  Its  specific  Identity  was  not  determined.] 

SWALLOW-TAILED  KITE  (Elanoides  forficatus). 


LOCALITY. 

Date. 

Poultry 
or  game 
birds. 

Other  birds. 

Mammals. 

Miscellaneous. 

Hawkinsville    Fla  , 

Mar    31    1885. 

Lizard  ;      tree- 

Do.                        .   . 

do. 

toad  ;      grass 
hoppers;  bee- 
tles. 
Lizard  ;    grass- 

Dixon county.  Neb..    . 

June  —  ,  1865, 

hoppers;  bee- 
tles. 
60  locusts.  5  oth- 

Do. 

do. 

er  insects. 
69  locusts.  3  oth- 

Sarpy county.  Neb.  , 

Sept.  —  ,  1873, 

er  insects. 
75  insects. 

.Summary.— Of  5  stomachs  examined  5  contained  insects;  2.  lizards;  1.  tree-toad. 
MISSISSIPPI  KITE  (Ictinea  mississippiensis) . 


Madisonvllle.  La.,     . 

May  29,  1886, 

Do.                       .   . 

May   30,  1886, 

!• 

Beetles 

Summary. — Of  the  2  stomachs  examined,  both  contained  insects. 

MARSH  HAWK  (  Circus  hudsonius. ) 


Amityville.  L.  I.  ,  N.  Y.  , 

Oct.    17.  1885, 

Washington,  D.  C.,  .  . 

Oct.    29,  1886, 

Bergen  county.  N.  J., 
Washington,  D.  C.  ,  .   . 
Sandy  Spring,  Md.,  .  . 
Do. 

Nov.  26,  1885, 
Jan.   —  ,  1887, 
Feb.  11,  1887, 
Oct.      2,  1887, 



Junco. 

Meadow  mouse, 
do. 

Do. 

Oct.    14,  1887, 

do 

Do.                       .  . 

Nov.  17,  1887, 

Do. 

Do.                        .   . 

Nov.  18,  1887, 
Nov.  23.  1887 



Tree  sparrow,  .  . 

meadow  mice. 
Pine  mouse  ;    2 
meadow  mice. 

Travare,  Dak  

July     5,  1887, 

Aieaaow  mouse. 

Pembina,  Dak., 

July   30,  1887 

phers. 

Do.                .... 

do. 

Do. 

do. 

gopher. 

Oakdale,  N.  Y  

Oct.      4.  1887, 

Shrew 

Long  Island  City,  N.  Y. 

Oct.    18,  1887, 

East  Hartford,  Conn., 
Cromwell,  Conn..    .  .   , 

Sept.  17,  1887, 
Oct.      5,  1886, 

Duck. 

Devil's  Lake,  Dak..  .  . 
Do. 
Sandy  Spring.  Md..   .   . 
Do. 

Aug.  11,  1887, 
Aug.  17,  1887. 
Oct.    17,  1887, 
Feb.  13.  1887, 

:  :  :  :  : 



Striped  gopher. 
Meadow  mouse, 
do. 

Sing  Sing,  N.  Y.. 
Do.                   .  .   . 
Wethersfleld,  Conn..    . 
Do. 

Oct.      1.  1881, 
Sept.  17.  1882, 
Sept.  17.  1887, 
Sept.  24.  1887, 

Fowl. 

Small  bird. 
Small  bird  

Mice, 
do 

East  Hartford,  Conn.  . 

Nov.  12,  1886, 

Do. 

Oct.    17,  1886. 

Paint  Rock.  Texas.    .   . 

Dec.     7,  1886, 

Skunk 

Washington,  D.  C..  .  . 
East  Bradford,  Pa.  .  .   . 
Westtown,  Pa  
Oxford,  Pa  
Brazile  Creek.  Neb..    . 

Sept.  11,  1886. 
Aug.  22,  1878. 
Aug.  30,  1878, 
Nov.    5.  1879, 
Oct.    —  .  1869, 

Fowl. 

2  warblers,    '.'.".' 

Mice, 
do. 
do. 

Do. 

do. 

sects. 

Otoe  county.  Neb.  ,    .  . 

Sept.  —  ,  1864. 

other  insects. 

other  insects. 

348 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


MARSH  HAWK— Continued. 


LOCALITY. 

Date. 

Poultry 
or  game 
birds. 

Other  birds. 

Mammals. 

Miscellaneous. 

Sept         1864 

Lizard  •    69  lo 

Do 

do 

Gopher 

custs. 

Douglas  county    Neb.  , 

Oct.    —  .  1864, 

Lizards  •  43  lo- 

Elmira N   Y 

May     7,  1886. 

4  mice. 

custs. 

Do 

July   11    1886 

Mouse 

Beetles 

Tyrone,  N.  Y  
Do 

Aug.  17,  1886. 
do 

Red  squirrel. 
Field  mice 

Barton    N    Y  , 

Aug.    1,  1886. 

Wood- 

Beetles 

Hale  county,  Ala.,    .  . 
Washington,  D.  C.,  .   . 

Mar.  17.  1888. 
Mar.  28,  1888. 

cock, 
Quail. 



Meadow  mouse. 

Summary. — Of  46  stomachs  examined,  5  contained  poultry  or  game  birds;  5.  other  birds;  24,  mice:  9 
other  mammals  ;  3,  reptiles  ;  8,  insects,  and  1  was  empty.  Twenty-two  stomachs  examined  by  the  di- 
vision contained  21  mice. 

SHARP-SHINNED  HAWK  (Accipiter  velox). 


Sing  Sing.  N.  Y  
Do.                   ... 
Do.                   ... 
Do.                   ... 
Southold.  N.  Y  

Alfred  Centre.  N.  Y.,  . 
Taunton,  Mass  
Do.                   ... 
Sing  Sing,  N.  Y  

Sept.  10,  1885, 
Sept.  17.  1885, 
do. 
Sept.  24,  1885, 
Nov.  20,  1885, 

Sept.  17,  1885, 
Oct.     6,  1885. 
Nov.  21,  1885, 
SepjL  25,  1886, 

July  22,  1886, 
Mar.  27,  1886, 
May  25,  1886, 
Sept.  18,  1886. 
May     2,  1887, 
Sept.  21.  1887, 

Nov.  11,  1887, 
Jan.    19,  1887, 

Apr.     2,  1887, 
Oct.    20,  1887, 
Sept.    9,  1887, 
Dec.  31.  1887, 

Apr.     7,  1880. 
Oct.    17,  1886, 
May     9,  1874, 
Nov.    4,  1887. 
Nov.    8,  1886, 

:  :  :  :  : 

2  warblers. 
Warbler. 
Field  sparrow. 
Chippie,     purple 
grackle. 
Warbler. 
Goldfinch. 
2  small  birds. 
Junco  and  king- 
let. 
Small  bird. 
Robin. 
Oriole;  swift 
Small  bird, 
do. 
Engjish     spar- 
row; warbler. 
White-throated 
sparrow. 
2   English     spar- 
rows. 
Robin. 
Field  sparrow. 
Thrush. 
White-throated 
sparrow. 
Robin. 
Warbler. 
Junco. 

Peterborough,  N.  Y.,  . 
Portland,  Conn  
Maplewood,  N.  J.,    .  . 
Montgomery  co..  Pa., 
Woodstock,  Conn.,   .  . 
Long  Island  City,N.Y. 

Greensborough,  Ala.  ,  . 
Middletown,  Conn.  .  .  . 

Portland,  Conn.,    .  .   . 
Do.                   ... 
FortBuford,  Dak..    .  . 
Washington,  D.  C.,  .  . 

Sing  Sing,  N.  Y., 
East  Hartford,  Conn., 
Easthampton,  Mass.  ,  . 
South  Windsor.  Conn.  , 
Portland    Conn.  , 



:  :  :  :  : 

Do.                   ... 
Fort  Buford,  Dak.  ,    .  . 
Sandy  Spring.  Md., 
Do. 
Do. 
Do. 
Do. 
Do. 
Do. 
Do. 
Chester  county,  Pa.  ,    . 

Do. 
Do. 
Do. 
Do. 
Do. 
Do. 
Elmira,  N.  Y  
Do.                .... 
Big  Flats,  N.  Y  
Do.                .... 
Gainesville,  Fla  

Feb.    4,  1881, 
Sept.  —  ,  1887, 
Apr.  23,  1887. 
do. 
do. 
Sept.  20.  1887. 
Sept.  26,  1887, 
Oct.     2.  1887. 
Nov.    5,  1887, 
Nov.  22,  1887, 
Nov.  26,  1886, 

Sept.  20,  1884, 
Sept.  28,  1880, 
Sept.  10,  1874, 
Oct.    —  ,  1875, 
Feb.  16,  1880, 
May  19,  1881. 
Mar.    4,  1886. 
Apr.   18,  1886, 
Sept.  23,  1886. 
do. 
Dec.  22,  1887, 

::::: 

Goldfinch  
Dove. 



Bluebird, 

Small  bird,     .  . 

Fox    sparrow; 
song  sparrow. 
Field  sparrow, 

English  sparrow, 

Mice, 
do. 
do. 

Quail. 

Poultry 

English  sparrow, 
Small  bird. 
English  sparrow. 

Mouse. 









Empty. 


Empty, 
do. 


do. 
do. 


do. 
do. 
do. 

Beetles. 


Insects. 


Indeterminate. 
Empty. 


Summary.—  Of  48  stomachs  examined.  2  contained  poultry  and  game  birds  ;  35,  other  birds  ;  4.  mice; 
insects;  and  10  were  empty.     Total  number  of  small  birds,  41. 


PLATE  86. 


1.  American  Long-eared  Owl 

2.  Short-eared  Owl  Males. 


APPENDIX. 


349 


COOPER'S  HAWK  (Accipiter  cooperi). 


LOCALITY. 

Date. 

Poultry 
or  game 
birds. 

Other  birds. 

Mammals. 

Miscellaneous. 

Taunton.  Mass  
Do 

Sept.  21.  1885. 
Oct  6  1885 

Chewink. 
do 

1  grasshopper. 

River  Vale,  N.  J..  .      . 
Washington    D    C  , 

Sept.  18,  1886. 
Nov.  28.  1886, 

Tree  sparrow. 

Sing  Sing,  N.  Y.,    .       . 
Do.                    .       . 

Sept.  7.  1880, 
Nov.  18,  1884, 
Oct  28  1887 

Chicken 
do. 

Empty. 

Do. 
Do. 
Do 

Mar.  6,  1887, 
July  —  .  1887, 
Aug  4  1887 

Pigeon, 
do. 
do 

do. 

Do. 
Do 

Aug.  30.  1887. 
Sept  13  1887, 

Pigeon. 

Sand  lizard. 

Do 

Sept  27  1887 

Empty. 

Sept  9  1887, 

do. 

Julv  31  1887 

do. 

Sandy  Spring,  Md.. 
Do. 
Do. 
Do 

Jan.  14,  1887, 
Mar.  1.  1887, 
Apr.  22,  1887, 
May  7  1887, 

Quail,  . 

Chicken 
do 

Song  sparrow. 

do. 

Do 

May  25  1887 

do. 

Do 

Sept  14  1887 

do. 

Do. 
Do 

Sept.  21.  1887. 
Nov.  24,  1887. 

Purple  grackle. 

Do. 
Do. 
Do 

Dec.  26,  1887. 
Jan.  30.  1888, 
Feb  11  1888 

Quail, 
do. 

Junco  :    Savanna 

Chester  county,  Pa.,    . 

Nov.  13.  1886, 

sparrow. 
Junco. 

Do 

Nov.  27,  1886, 

Small  bird. 

Do. 
Do 

Dec.  17,  1886, 
Jan  10  1887. 

Chicken 

Small  bird. 

Do 

Jan  17  1887 

Empty. 

Do. 
Do. 
Do. 

Feb.  1.  1887. 
Feb.  20,  1887, 
Mar.  3,  1887, 

Chicken 

Small  bird. 
Meadow  lark. 

Do. 
Newcastle  co.,  Del.,  . 
Willistown,  Pa  

Dec.  6,  1878. 
Nov.  1.  1878. 
Dec.  6,  1878, 
May  25  1875 

Poultry 

Frog 

Bast  Goshen    Pa 

May  20,  1877, 

Mice,    

Coleoptera 

West  Chester.  Pa.,    .  . 
Pocopson,  Pa  
West  Chester,  Pa.  . 

Aug.  25,  1876, 
Nov.  12,  1879, 
Sept.  10,  1880, 

Poultry 

English  sparrow. 
English  sparrow. 

Sandy  Spring,  Md.,   .  . 
Gainesville,   Fla.  ,  . 

Mar.  17.  1888, 
Deo  22.  1887, 



Sparrow. 

Empty. 

Sandy  Spring,  Md.,  .  . 
Do 

Mar.  24,  1888, 
Apr.  2,  1888. 

Song  sparrow. 

do. 

Summary.— Of  46  stomachs  examined.  15  contained  poultry  or  game  birds;  17,  other  birds;  1,  mice 
1.  frog;  1.  lizard  ;  2,  insects,  and  11  were  empty. 

GOSHAWK  (Accipiter  atricapillus). 


Sandy  Spring.  Md.,  .   . 

Dec.  27,  1887 

Rabbit 

Adirondack.  N.  Y.,  .   . 
Philadelphia,  Pa..     .  . 

Oct.    31.  1882 
Jan.   12,  1886 

2  red  squirrels. 
Rabbit 

Dixon  and  Ceder  coun- 

Aug. —  ,  1867 

do  

Few  locusts. 

ties.  Nebr  
Tioira    Pa 

Feb    17    1886 

Elmira,  N.  Y  

Apr.  12.  1886 

Mice 

Beetles 

Summary.—  Of  6  stomachs  examined.  2  contained  mice  ;  5.  other  mammals  ;  2,  insects, 
RED-TAII.IOD  HAWK  (Buteo  boreaiis). 


'Taunton,  Mass  ,  . 

Nov    18    1885 

Portland,  Conn  

Sept.    4,  1885, 

2  adders*     rib- 

Do. 
Alfred  Centre,  N.  Y.,  . 

Nov.  25,  1885, 
Aug.  28,  1886, 

Fowl. 

bon     snakes; 
toad. 

Grasshoppers. 

Do. 

Oct.    25.  1886, 

Shrew 

Peterborough,  N.  Y..  . 
OneidaLake.  N.  Y..     . 

July     5,  1886, 
Aug.  30,  1886, 

Fowl. 

Red  squirrel 

Morrisville.  N.  Y  
Chester  county    Pa.,    . 
Do. 

Sept.  27,  1886, 
May   15.  1886. 
Mar.  10.  1886, 

Fowl.' 

Oriole.   .  .   .  .  .   . 

Meadow  mouse. 
Rabbit  
Meadow  mouse. 

Grubs. 

350 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


RED-TAILED  HAWK — Continued. 


LOCALITY. 

Date. 

Poultry 
or  game 
birds. 

Other  birds. 

Mammals. 

Miscellaneous. 

Birmingham,  Pa.,  .  . 

Mar.  15,  1886. 
July  25   1886 

Fowl. 

Grackle. 

Feb.  13.  1886, 

Offal 

Lockport    N.  Y  

July   13,  1886, 

4  meadow  mice, 

Toad:2  beetles 

Forge.  Suffolk  county 
NY                 

Feb.  16,  1887, 

Fowl. 

Whitewater   Wis 

Aug.  17,  1887, 

Meadow  mouse 

Washington    D   C 

May     4,  1887, 

Pine  mouse* 

pers;  5  crick- 
ets;  1  beetle; 
1  crawfish. 

Middletown   Conn  ,  . 

Nov   20,  1886, 

meadow  mouse. 
Mouse, 

Portland.  Conn  
Gainesville   Va 

Dec.  29,  1886, 
Jan.     2,  1888, 

Gray  squirrel. 
2  house  mice 

Nov     3    1887 

Washington,  D.  C.,  .  . 
Do                        .  . 

Dec.  29,  1887. 
Jan.   20,  1888. 



Song  sparrow,  .  . 

Meadow  mouse. 
House  mouse;  3 

Sing  Sing,  N.  Y.,    ... 

Feb.  18,  1885, 

meadow  mice. 
4  meadow  mice; 

Do!                    ... 
Lewis  county,  N.  Y.,  . 

Apr.   13,  1885, 
Aug.    3,  1876, 



.  

2  white-footed 
mice;   shrew. 
2  shrews. 

/ 

Garter  snake 

Mar     2    1887 

Sreech  owl. 

Devil's  Lake,  Dak.,  .  . 

Aug.  11,  1887, 
Sept  14    1885 

Gray      gopher  ; 
striped  gopher. 

Frogs;  10  large 
grasshoppers. 

Jan      8    1887 

Pine  mouse* 

beetle. 

Do 

do 

shrew. 
2  meadow  mice 

Do                        .  . 

do. 

Meadow  mouse; 

Do 

do 

white-footed 
mouse;  shrew. 

Do                         .  . 

do. 

1     meadow 
mouse. 
3  house  mice;  1 

Do 

do 

meadow  mouse; 
shrew. 

Do 

do. 

3  meadow  mice; 

Do 

do 

3  shrews. 
1  house  mouse; 

Do 

Jan.   14,  1887 

2  pine  mice;   2 
meadow  mice; 
1  shrew. 

Empty 

Do 

do 

1  pine  mouse  •   2° 

Do. 
Do 

Jan.   22,  1887, 
do. 



meadow  mice. 
Meadow  mouse, 
do. 

Do 

do 

do 

Do 

Jan.   28,  1887, 

do. 

Do. 
Do 

do. 
do. 



Crow  
do. 

do. 

Do 

Feb    11    1887 

do 

Do 

do. 

Meadow  mouse. 

Larva. 

Do 

do 

Pine  mouse; 

Do 

Mar     2    1887 

meadow  mouse. 
Shrew. 

Do 

do 

do 

Do 

do. 

Meadow  mouse; 

Do 

do. 

2  house  mice. 
1  meadow  mouse; 

Do 

do 

1  house  mouse. 
2  meadow  mice; 

Do 

do. 

gray  squirrel. 
Meadow  mouse. 

Do 

do 

Shrew 

Do 

Mar     2   1887 

Do. 
Do 

do. 
do 

Fowl. 

Do. 
Do 

do. 
do 



Bluebird  

Meadow  mouse. 

Do.                       .  . 
Do 

do. 
do 



Meadow  mouse, 
do 

Do. 
Do 

Mar.    5,  1887. 
do 

2  song  sparrows.  . 

do. 
Meadow  mouse  ; 

Do. 
Do 

do. 
do 

Song  sparrow.  .  . 
Feathers,     .      .   . 

white-footed 
mouse  ;  mole. 
Rabbit.  ' 

Do. 

do. 

Empty. 

APPENDIX. 


351 


RED-TAILED  HAWK— Continued. 


LOCALITY. 

Date. 

Poultry 
or  game 
birds. 

Other  birds. 

Mammals. 

Miscellaneous. 

Sandv  Spring,   Md.,  .   . 

Mar.    5,  1887, 

2  meadow  mice  • 

Do 

Mar.  8-10.1887, 

rabbit. 
Meadow  mouse 

Do.                       .  . 

do. 

do. 

Do.                       .  . 

do. 

Empty 

Do.                       .  . 

do. 

3  meadow  mice. 

Do                        .   . 

do. 

Do.                        .   . 

do. 

Shrew. 

Do 

do 

Rabbit 

Do.                       .  . 

do. 

do 

Do. 

do. 

Gray  squirrel. 

Do.                       .  . 

do. 

Do.                       .   . 
Do.                       .   . 

Mar.  12,  1887. 
Mar.  18.   1887, 

Feathers. 
Robin, 

chipmunk.  .  .   . 
Meadow  mouse 

Crawfish. 

Do. 

Mar.  24,   1887, 

3  meadow  mice. 

Do. 

April  1    1887, 

2  sparrows 

Do. 

do. 

Pine  mouse. 

Do.                       .  . 

Apr  25    1887 

Mole 

Do.                       .   . 

Apr.  28,   1887, 

Meadow  mouse  • 

Do. 

Nov.  14,   1887 

gray  squirrel. 

Empty. 

Do. 

do. 

do. 

Do.                       .   . 

do. 

do. 

Do.                       .  . 
Do. 

Nov.  27.   1887, 
Dec    12    1887 



Gray  squirrel. 

do 

Do. 

do. 

House  mouse 

Do. 
Do. 

Dec.  24.  1887, 
Dec.  26,   1887 



2  meadow  mice. 

do. 

Do.                        .   . 

do. 

1  house  mouse1  1 

Do. 

do. 

meadow  mouse 
3  shrews. 
Meadow  mouse. 

Do. 

do. 

do 

Do. 

Jan.     3.  1888. 

2  Meadow  mice 

Do.                       .  . 

Jan.     7.  1888 

Do. 
Do.                       .  . 

Jan.   14.  1888. 
Jan.    11    1888 

Meadowlark,     .   . 

3  meadow  mice. 

Do.                       .  . 
Do. 

Jan.   14,   1888. 
Jan.    19,  1888. 

Fowl. 

5  meadow  mice 

Do. 

Jan.   30,   1888 

Crow. 

Do. 

Jan.   28,  1888, 

Meadow  mouse 

Do. 
Do. 

Jan.   30,  1888. 
Feb.  13,  1888, 




Crow  

House  mouse. 

Empty 

Do. 

Feb.  18,  1888, 



do. 

Do.                       .  . 

Feb.  22,  1888 

do 

Chester  county,  Pa.  ,    . 
Do. 
Do. 
Do. 

May   —  ,  1886, 
Oct.    15,  1886, 
Nov.  22,  1886. 
Nov.  16,  1886. 

Fowl,    . 
Fowl,   ! 

Oriole  

Gray  squirrel. 
House  mouse. 
Meadow  mouse, 
do. 

Do. 

Dec.     4,  1886. 

do 

Do. 

Dec.     8,  1886, 

Offal. 

Do. 

Dec.  29,  1886 

Do. 

Feb.  11,  1887. 

Empty 

Do. 

Feb.  16.  1887. 

do 

Do. 

Dec.  11,  1886, 

Sparrow. 

Do. 

Jan.   —  .  1887, 

Fowl,    . 

Meadow  mouse 

Do. 

Dec.   11,   1886, 

do 

Do. 

Dec.  —  ,  1886, 

House     mouse  • 

Do. 
Do. 

do. 

Nov.  —    1886 



Song  sparrow, 
do 

meadow  mouse. 
2  meadow  mice. 

Do. 

do. 

do 

Do. 
Do. 

Feb.  16,  1887, 
Dec.  —  ,  1886, 

Fowl. 
do. 

Do. 

Dec.  11,  1886 

2  house  mice. 

Do. 

Dec.   18,  1886, 

Empty 

Do. 

Apr.  20,  1886 

Do. 

Dec.  28,  1886. 

Do. 

Nov.  —  ,   1886. 

Empty. 

Do. 
Do. 
Do. 

do. 
do. 
do. 

... 

'.         .'.'.'.'.'.'.'. 

Meadow  mouse. 
2  meadow  mice. 
3  meadow  mice. 

Do. 

do. 

2  meadow  mice 

Do. 

Dec.   28,  1886. 

Do. 

do. 

Meadow    mice  • 

Do. 

do. 

rabbit. 

Do. 
Do. 

Jan.    15,  1887. 
Nov.  —  ,  1886, 

Fowl. 

2  house  mice  •  1 

Do. 
Do. 

do. 
Jan.   —  ,  1887, 



meadow  mouse. 
3  meadow  mice. 

Do. 

do. 



mole. 
Meadow  mouse  : 
rabbit  :  shrew. 

352 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


RED-TAILED  HAWK — Continued. 


LOCALITY. 

Date, 

Poultry 
or  game 
birds. 

Other  birds. 

Mammals. 

Miscellaneous. 

Jan.    —  ,  1887, 

Meadow  mouse  ; 

Do 

do. 

red  squirrel. 
3  meadow  mice. 

Do 

Oct     —    1886, 

3  meadow  mice  • 

Do 

Dec    —    1886 

red  squirrel. 
4  meadow  mice 

Bo 

do. 

1  meadow  mouse. 

Do. 

Do 

Jan.  —  ,  1887, 
do. 

Feathers,     .... 

do. 
Rabbit. 

Do. 
Do. 
Do 

do. 
Dec.  —  ,  1886. 
Oct     —    1886 



Feathers. 

3  meadow  mice. 
Red  squirrel 

Do 

Dec.  —  .  1886, 

Fowl 

House  mouse. 

Grasshopper 

Do. 
Do 

do. 
Jan.    25,  1887, 

do. 

House  mouse. 

Do 

do 

Meadow  mouse  • 

Do 

Jan     26    1887, 

white-footed 
mouse. 
Meadow  mouse. 

Do 

do. 

6  meadow  mice. 

Do 

Dec    31,  1886 

Mouse. 

Do 

Jan.     1,  1887, 

White-footed 

Do. 
Do 

Jan.     3,  1887, 
Jan      7    1887 



mouse  ;  shrew. 
Meadow  mouse. 
Mouse. 

• 

Do 

Jan.  —  ,  1887, 

Meadow  mouse. 

Do 

do 

2  meadow  mice, 

Frog. 

Do. 
Do 

do. 
do. 



2  meadow  mice  ; 
shrew. 
1  meadow  mouse. 

Do 

do 

Meadow  mouse 

Do 

do. 

do. 

Do. 

do. 

do. 

Do 

Jan     18,  1887 

Meadowlark 

Do. 

Jan.    17.  1887, 

House  mouse. 

Do 

Jan    22,  1887 

5  meadow  mice. 

Do 

Nov.  —  ,  1886, 

Mouse. 

Do 

Dec    —    1886 

Red  squirrel. 

Do 

Nov.  __,  1886, 

Meadow  mouse  ; 

Do 

do. 

red  squirrel. 
Meadow  mouse. 

Do. 
Do 

Jan.  —  ,   1887, 
do 



Tree  sparrow. 

Empty 

Do. 
Do 

do. 
do. 

Crow. 

Meadow  mouse. 

Do 

do 

2  meadow  mice  ; 

Do 

Feb.  —  ,  1887, 

white-footed 
mouse. 
Meadow  mouse. 

Do 

do 

do. 

Do 

do. 

6  meadow  mice. 

Do 

do 

Meadow  mouse  ; 

Do 

do 

shrew. 
3  meadow  mice  ; 

Do 

do 

2  house  mice. 

Offal. 

Do. 
Do. 
Do 

Mar.  10,  1887, 
do. 
do 



Shrew. 
Meadow  mouse. 
2  meadow  mice. 

Do 

Feb    —   1887 

7  Meadow  mice. 

Feb      4   1879 

Mice. 

Westtown,  Pa  
East  Bradford,  Pa.,.   . 
Do 

Jan.     5.  1881, 
Feb.   15,  1879. 
do. 



Mice.' 
do. 

Grasshoppers. 

Do 

do 

do. 

Willistown,  Pa  
Westtown.  Pa  
Pocopson,  Pa  '. 
Willistown    Pa 

Apr.     4,  1878, 
Mar.  11,  1879. 
Nov.  25,  1878, 
Jan      3   1879 

'Quiiii.  ' 

do. 
do. 

Mice. 

West  Bradford.  Pa..    . 
Kennett,  Pa  
Do 

Jan.    13,  1879. 
Jan.    15.  1879, 
do. 

Poultry, 
do. 

Mice. 

Willistown,  Pa  
Do 

Jan.    21,  1879, 
do 

do. 
do  

Insects. 

Mar    24    1879 

do.  .            ... 

do. 

Do 

Dec    25   1883 

do. 

Chester  county.  Pa.,    . 
Birmingham,   Pa.  ,     .   . 
Willistown.  Pa  
Do.                   ... 

Feb.    15,  1878, 
Dec.    31,  1884, 
Jan.     6,  1885, 
do. 
do 

Poultry. 

do. 

Mice, 
do. 
do. 

Jan       5    1881 

Grasshopper. 

Willistown,  Pa  
Do.                   .  .   - 
East  Bradford,  Pa.  .  .    . 

Feb.   15,  1878, 
Oct.    —  ,  1876, 
Aug.  15.  1876, 

Poultry 

* 

Mice. 
Rabbit. 

Mice. 

Do. 

do. 

do. 

APPENDIX. 


353 


RED-TAILED  HAWK — Continued. 


LOCALITY. 

Date. 

Poultry 
or  game 
birds. 

Other  birds. 

Mammals. 

Miscellaneous. 

Lancaster  county    Pa.  , 

Apr      2    1878. 

Mice 

West  Bradford,  Fa.,    . 
East  Bradford    Pa 

Nov.  25,  1879. 
Feb      4    1875) 

Quail. 

. 

do 

Cain.  Pa..  . 

Feb.  22,  1879. 

do. 

Do  

do. 

do. 

* 

Westtown,  Pa.  , 

Jan     23.  1879 

do             f 

Do.                .... 
East  Bradford    Pa 

do. 
Jan     20    1879 

do. 
do 

Westtown,  Pa  
Do 

Jan.    28,  1879, 
do 

do. 
do 

Do.                 .   . 

Jan.    20.  1879, 

do. 

Do.                 .... 
East  Bradford, 

do 
Feb.  _<  1879 

do. 
do 

Do.                .... 
Lancaster  county.  Pa.  . 

do. 
Apr      2    1878 

do. 
do 

East  Bradford,  Pa...    . 

Feb.  --.  1879. 

do. 

Westtown    Pa 

Jan     28    1879 

do 

Chester  county.  Pa.,    . 

do. 

Offal 

Feb      8   1879 

Mice 

Cain.  Pa., 

Feb.    9    1878 

do 

WestGoshen.  Pa..    .  . 

Feb.     7.  1879. 

do. 

Westtown,  Pa  

Jan.   29,  1879, 

do. 

Maryland  

Feb.  —  ,  1879, 

Red  squirrel; 

East  Bradford,  Pa.  , 

Feb.     8    1879 

mice. 
Mice 

Willistown.  Pa  

Jan.    21,  1879, 

do. 

West  Whiteland    Pa  , 

Mar    —    1879 

Willistown,  Pa  

Jan.    13,  1879. 

Mice. 

Chester  county.  Pa.  ,    . 
West  Bi-adford,  Pa.  .    . 
Willistown,  Pa  
East  Bradford,  Pa.  . 

Jan.     3,  1879. 
Jan.     3,  1880, 
Nov.  27,  1874, 
Dec.   —   1882 

Poultrv. 
do. 



Red  squirrel. 

\Villistown,  Pa  

Jan.    —  .  1882. 

mice. 
Rabbit. 

Westtown,  Pa  

Jan.     5,  1881 

Mice, 

Willistown.  Pa..        .   . 

Jan.     2,  1880 

do 

and  crickets. 
Insects 

West  Bradford,  Pa.,    . 
Willistown,  Pa  
Do.                   ... 
East  Goshen    Pa. 

Nov.  27.  1880, 
Mar.  27.  1880, 
Mar    22.  1880. 
Mar    20    1880 

Quail'.  ' 

'      '."*>  

do. 
do. 

Willistown.  Pa  
Birmingham,  Pa.. 

do. 
Feb.   26.  1880 



mice. 
Mice, 
do 

Delaware  county.  Pa.. 
Do. 
Do. 

Feb    23,  1880. 
do. 
Jan.   30.  1880. 



do. 
do. 
do. 

Westtown.  Pa.,  .... 
Chester  county.  Pa.  .    . 
Do. 
New  Garden,  Pa.  ,  .  . 

Dec.     5.  1879. 
Dec.     3.  1879, 
do. 

Nov.  2*5    1879 

Poultry. 

do. 

Mice, 
do 

East  Goshen.  Pa  

Sept.  15,  , 

do. 

Chester  county,  Pa.,    . 
Do. 

Dec.   10,  1877. 
Oct.      3.  1880, 

Poultry. 

Mice 

Willistown.  Pa  
Do. 

Feb.  —  ,  1876. 
Jan.   20.  1876. 

Feathers. 

Mice 

Do. 

Jan.   —  .  1876, 

do. 

Do. 
Do. 

Dec.   19,  1878, 
Jan.    18.  1875, 



do. 
do 

Do. 

Nov.  20.  1876. 

do. 

Do.                       .   . 

Mar.  26.  1876 

do 

Chester  county.  Pa.,    . 

Sept.  —  .  1874, 

Gray  squirrel 

WestGoshen,  Pa.,    .  . 

Dec.   —  .  1875 

Mice 

Kast  Goshen.  Pa.  .     . 

Feb.   19.  1875. 

Empty. 

Dakota  City,  Neb., 
Klmira.  N.  Y.,     . 

July   -.  1870, 
June    1.  1886 

Quail,  . 



37  insects. 

Do. 
Do.                .... 

June  19.  1886. 
July    21,  1886. 

Chicken 

Do. 

\\fllsburgh.  N.  Y.,    . 

Oct.      2,  1886, 
Apr.     7.  1887, 



3  mice. 
Hair, 

beetles. 
Beetles 

Ilalsey  Valley,  N.  Y., 

Aug.   10    1887 

Sandy  Spring,  Md.,  .  . 
Do. 

Mar.     6,  1888. 
do. 

Tree  sparrow. 
2  tree  sparrows  ; 

Meadow  mouse. 

Do. 

Mar.     7    1888 

1  song  sparrow. 

Empty 

Do. 

do. 

do 

Do.                       .   . 

Do 
Do. 

do. 

Mnr.     9.  1888. 
Mar.  15.  1888. 



Song    sparrow  ; 
junco. 

Meadow  UK.  use  : 
rabbit. 
Mole. 

do 

Do. 
Do. 
Do. 

do. 
do. 
Mar.   17.  1888. 

Sniiy  sp.-irrmv.   .    . 

Meadow  mouse. 
2  house  mice. 
Shrew. 

Do. 
Do. 

i.alnsvtlle.  Fla  .... 

do. 
Mar.   19.  1888. 
Jan.      4.  1888. 

.  .'  .'  '.'.'...'.'.'. 

Meadow  mouse.    '• 
do. 
2  cotton  rats. 

23  BIRDS. 


354 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


RED-TAILED  HAWK — 


LOCALITY. 

Date. 

Poultry 
or  game 
birds. 

Other  birds. 

Mammals. 

Miscellaneous. 

Sandy  Spring.   Md..  .   . 

Chester  county.  Pa.  .    . 
Do 

Mar.  24.  1888, 

Feb.   —  ,  1887. 
Jan     —    1887. 

1  pine  mouse  ;  1 
meadow  mouse 
3  meadow  mice, 
do 

Do. 
Do 

Apr.  -  -.  1887, 
Feb.       ,  1887, 

2  meadow  mice. 
Meadow  mice 

Do. 
Do 

do. 
do. 

do. 
do 

Do. 

Sandy  Spring   Md 

do. 
Mar.  28,  1888, 

do. 

Toad    crawfisl 

Do.                       .   . 
Do.                        .   . 

Mar.  30,  1888, 
Apr.   18,  1888, 

2  meadow  mice, 

May  beetle 
other  insects 
Empty. 

Summary.—  Of  311  stomachs  examined,  29  contained  poultry  or  game  birCs  ;  35,  other  birds  ;  203.  mice 
55.  other  mammals  ;  9,  batrachians  or  reptiles  ;  24  insects  ;  3  crawflsh  ;  4,  offal,  and  29  were  empty.  Two 
hundred  and  ten  examined  by  the  division  contained  270  mice. 

RED-SHOULDERED  HAWK  (Buteo  lineatus). 


Sing  Sing.  N.  Y 

Oct.      3.  1885, 

Flicker. 

Toad  ;  snake; 

Alfred  Centre.  X    V 

Sept.  11.  1885. 

Mouse,    . 

cricket;  larva. 
G  r  a  sshopper  ; 

Do 

Sept.  13,  1886, 

4  shrews. 

larva;  spider. 
Grasshoppers  : 

Do 

Sept.  12,  1886, 

spider. 
Grasshoppers. 

Peterborough,  N.  Y.,  . 

June  25,  1886, 

Frogs:  beetles. 

Do. 

do. 

Hedbacke  d 

Do. 

Do. 
Do 

June  28.  1886. 

do. 
July   28   1886. 

mouse;      3 
shrews. 
Meadow  mouse  : 
3  shrews. 
1  shrew. 

Beetles;  craw- 
flsh ;  spider. 

Insects. 

OneidaLake,  N.  Y.,     . 

Aug.  30.  1886, 

Squash  bug. 

Morrisville,  N.  Y.. 

Sept     6,  1886, 

Meadow  mouse  ; 

10  grasshoppers 

Birmingham.  Pa  

Mar.  15,  1886, 
Jan      3    1886 

Feathers. 

1  shrew. 

Cricket;  larva;  • 

East  Hartford,  Conn., 

Dec.    14,  1886. 

Meadow  mouse. 

2  spiders 
Frog. 

Gainesville    Florida, 

Feb.  28.  1887. 

do. 

Do 

Mar    17    1887 

Do 

April    7    1887 

flies. 
Lizard;  2  crick- 

Do 

April  11.  1887. 

ets  ;   larvae  of 
beetles. 
Snake;  insects; 

Greensborough,  Ala.  . 

Nov.   19.  1887 

earth  worm. 
Grassho  p  pe  r  : 

East  Hartford,  Conn., 

April    5.  1887, 

Shrew  

crickets. 
Garter    snake  ; 

Do. 
Portland,  Conn  

July     5.  1887. 
Oct.    29.  1887. 

Meadow  mouse. 

bull-frog. 
Beetle  ;    wasp  : 
larvae. 
Leopard  frog. 

Washington,  D.  C..  .   . 
Do.                       .   . 
Do 

Dec.  24,  1887. 
do. 
jan     22,  1888. 

House  mouse  ;  2 
meadow  mice. 
Meadow  mouse  ; 
shrew. 

Crawtish. 

Frog  ;   grass- 
hoppers. 
Empty. 

Feb    16   1888 

Grasshoppe  r  s  : 

Locust  Grove.  N.  Y..  . 

Aug   24,  1876. 

beetles. 
Grasshoppers. 

Sing  Sing,  N.  Y  
Do.                    .  .   . 

April   8,  1880. 
May     6,  1880, 

Mouse. 
Meadow  mouse  ; 

2  toads  ;   grass- 

Do 

Sept  19   1882 

shrew. 

hopper. 
Toad  ;  larvae. 

Do.                    .  .    . 
Do 

Feb.     2,  1884, 
Feb.   14.  1885. 

2  shrews  
Mole. 

Frog;  salaman- 
der. 

Do. 
Portland,  Conn  

April   2,  1885. 

Oct.    18,  1886. 
Oct     29    1886 

Meadow  mouse  ; 
shrew. 
Mice. 
Mole. 

Sandy  Spring    Md 

Jan.     8,  1887, 

House  mouse. 

Do. 

do. 

2  house  mice  ; 

Do. 


PLATE  87. 


1.  Barred  Owl.    2.  Saw-whet 
Females. 


APPENDIX. 


355 


RED-SHOULDERED  HAWK— Continued. 


LOCALITY. 

Date. 

Poultry 
or  game 
birds. 

Other  birds. 

Mammals. 

Miscellaneous. 

Sandy  Spring.  Md..   .  . 

Do.                       .   . 
Do 

Feb.   11.  1887, 

Mar.    8,  1887. 
do. 

Pine    mouse; 
meadow  mouse  ; 
shrew. 
House  mouse. 
Mouse 

Tree-frog;  bee- 
tle; spider. 

Do.                       .  . 
Do. 
Do.                       .   . 

do. 
Mar.  24,  1887. 
Nov.  26,  1887 

Screech  owl,  .  .   . 

2  meadow  mice. 
Meadow  mouse. 

Grasshoppe  r  s>  ; 

Do. 
Do 

Dec.     3.  1887. 
do 

Meadow  mouse. 
Pine  mouse 

beetles  ;    spi- 
der. 
Grasshopper. 

Do 

Dec.     9.  1887. 

Meadow  mouse. 

Do.                       .   . 
Do 

Dec.  27,  1887, 
Jan.   30    1888, 



4  meadow  mice. 
1  mole. 

Do. 
Do.                       .   . 

do. 
do. 

Field  sparrow. 
Carolina  dove.  .  . 

Meadow  mouse. 

Chester  county,  Pa.  ,    . 

Nov.  23.  1886, 

2  meadow  mice, 

Grasshopper. 

Do. 

Jan.   20,  1886, 

Insects. 

Do 

April  3    1886, 

Opossum, 

Crickets  ;  larvae  . 

Do. 
Do 

Nov.  29.  1886. 
Dec      1    1886 

Mouse. 
Meadow  mouse 

Do 

Dec.     2.  1886. 

do. 

Do. 

Dec.  15.  1886. 

Shrew. 

Do 

Dec    16.  1886. 

Meadow  mouse. 

Do. 
Do 

Jan.   21.  1886, 
Jan     26    1887 

5  meadow  mice, 
do. 

Do. 
Do. 

Jan.   28.  1887. 
Jan.   —  ,  1887, 

Mouse, 
do. 

Do. 

do 

do. 

Do. 

Dec.  18,  1886. 

Meadow  mouse  ; 

Do. 
Do. 

Dec.   20.  1886. 
Jan.    18.  1887. 

rabbit. 
Meadow  mouse, 
do. 

Larvae  ;  offal. 

Do. 
Do. 

do. 
Jan.   —  .  1887. 

Meadow  mouse. 

Empty. 

Do. 

B'eb.   —  .  1887 

3  meadow  mice 

WilHstown.  Pa  
Do. 

Feb.  20.  1881, 
Mar     3    1881 

Mice. 
Rabbit 

Pennsylvania  

Dec.   25.  1879. 

Mice. 

Grasshoppers 

West  Chester,  Pa.  ,    .  . 
West  Plkeland,  Pa..    . 

Dec.     9,  1879, 
do. 





do  

do. 
do 

Westtown,  Pa  

Feb.     4,  1878. 

* 

do. 

Do. 

E"eb.    4,  1879 

Q 

do 

Willlstown,  Pa  

Jan.   21,  1879. 

Empty. 

Volusia  county.  Fla.  . 

Mar    18    1886 

Catfish 

Saint  John's  river,  Fla.  . 

Mar.  14.  1886. 

* 

Insects. 

Milltown.  Pa  
Thornbury,  Pa  

Dec.  29.  1884. 
Jan.     8.  1885. 



Mice, 
do. 

Insects 

Westtown,  Pa  
Do. 

Jan.    10,  1879, 
Jan.   28   1879 

do. 
do 

Do. 

Feb.  20,  1879, 

do. 

Do                 .... 
Do. 

Jan.   27,  1879. 
Feb.    4,  1879, 

do  
do 

Insects. 

Do.                .... 
Do.               .... 

Feb.  —  .  1879. 
Feb.  —  .  1879 

do. 
do 

Willistown,  Pa  

April   3,  1877, 

do. 

Chester  county.  Pa.  . 

Nov.  30   1879 

Pennsylvania,  . 

Jan.     5.  1881. 

Mice 

Barton.  N.  Y.,     . 
Elmlra.  N.  Y.. 
Do. 
Do. 

Jan.     1,  1886, 
Jan.   21,  1886. 
April  5,  188H. 
Aug.  13    1887 

Chicken'. 

:::."/::.:.: 

3  mice. 

Field  mice. 
Skunk 

Big  Flats,  N.  Y  

Sept.   5,  1887, 

Grasshoppe  r  s  ; 

Corning.  N.  Y  

Sept.  23,  1887. 

Field  mice 

beetles. 
Insects 

Greensborough,    Ala.  , 

Feb.  25,  1888. 

Mouse,    .  .  . 

Lizard  ;    grass- 

Sandy Spring.  Md..  .   . 
Gainsvtlle,   Fla  

Mar.  17.  1888. 
Jan.     4.  1888. 

Meadow  mouse. 

hopper;  cock- 
roach ;  3  craw- 
fish. 

Spider 

Do, 

Jan.    18.  1888, 

4  mole  crickets' 

20  larvae. 

Summary.—  Of  102  stomachs  examined,  t  contained  poultry  :  5.  other  birds  ;  HI.  mice;  20  other 
mals  ;  15.  reptiles  or  batrachians ;  40.  Insects  :  7,  spiders  ;  3.  crawfish  :  1.  earth  worm  ;  1.  offal  :  1  catfish 
MIM!  '.\  wore  empty. 


356 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


SWAINSON'  HAWK  (Buteo  swainsoni). 


LOCALITY. 

DATE. 

Poultry 
or  game 
birds. 

Other  birds. 

Mammals 

Miscellaneous. 

Cedar  county  Neb  . 

Aug.  —  .  1867. 

Do. 

Dakota  county.  Neb. 

do. 
July  —  ,  1868 

do. 
Rabbit 

61  locusts. 
58  insects 

Sarpy  county.  Neb.  . 

Sept.  —  .  1872. 

Gopher  •  mouse, 

65  insects 

Summary. — Of  4  stomachs  examined  each  one  contained  small  mammals  and  insects. 


BROAD-WINGED  HAWK  (Buteo  latissimus}. 


Sing  Sing.  N.  Y  

Sept.  19.  1885, 

Chipmunk,    .   .   . 

Crickets;  grass- 

Middle Haddam,  Conn. 
London,  Canada,       .   . 

Sept.    4,  1885, 
Sept.  22.  1883, 

hoppers. 
Toad. 

Lockport.  N.  Y..    . 

April  27.  1886, 

number  larvae 
Snake  •  2  b  e  e  - 

Brooklyn.  Ohio  

Washington,  D.  C.,  .  . 
Syracuse,  N.  Y  

May   10.  1886. 

June    5.  1887. 
April  30.  1886, 

3  ovenbirds..  .  .   . 

Chipmunk  ; 
shrew. 
2  shrews. 

ties. 
Toad. 

Roane  mountain,  N.C.. 

Aug.  10,  1887, 

Long  Island  City,  N  Y. 

Sept.  23,  1887. 

Garter    snake  • 

Do 

Sept.  24.  1887 

toad  ;  larvae  ; 
beetles. 

Do. 

do. 

Quantity    of 

Sing  Sing,  N,  Y.. 

Sept.  21.  1881, 

crickets. 
8  elm  sphinx 

Do 

Sept.  23.  1881. 

larvas. 
Elm  sphnix  lar- 

Lake George,  N.  Y.. 

Aug.    2.  1882, 

vae. 
Garter  snake 

Sing  Sing,  N.  Y  
Troy.  N.  Y  
Sandy  Spring.  Md.  .  .  . 
Do.                       .  . 

May     8.  1885, 
Sept.  19.  1885. 
May   10,  1887, 
Sept.    1,  1887. 

Chipmunk; 
shrew. 

Quantity    of 
earth  worms. 
Tree-frog; 
grasshoppers. 

Grasshopper. 

Chester  county,  Pa.  . 

May  28,  1878. 

Frog 

Blmira,  N.  Y  

Do. 
Do. 

June  27.  1885. 

April  9,  1886. 
July     3.  1887. 

Small  bird  

Large  rat  ;    Held 
mouse. 
Weasel. 

Summary. — Of  22  stomachs  examined,  2  contained  small  birds;  3.  mice;   5.  other  mammals ; 
or  batrachians;  10,  insects,  and  1,  earth  worms. 


reptiles 


ROUGH-LEGGED  HAWK  (Archibuteo  lagopus  sancti-johannis}  . 


Chester  county.  Pa.  . 

Dec.    9.  1886. 

Shrew. 

Northampton.     Mass.  . 

Feb.  23,  1887, 

2  meadow  mice. 

Do. 

Feb.  16.  1887, 

7  meadow  mice. 

South  Windsor,  Conn.  . 

Mar.  29.  1887. 

Meadow  mouse.  : 

Portland,  Conn  

Mar.  30,  1887, 

6  meadow  mice.    : 

Northampton.  Mass.  .  . 

Nov.  30,  1887, 

5  meadow  mice.    ; 

Do. 

Dec.    2.  1887, 

Meadow  mouse; 

house  mouse.     : 

Do. 

Dec.  14,  1887, 

6  meadow  mice.    > 

Do. 

Dec.  20.  1887, 

3  house  mice. 

Do. 

Nov.  26,  1886, 

Meadow  mice. 

Do. 

Nov.  27.  1886, 

do. 

Do. 

Dec.  -,  1886, 



do. 

Chester  county.  Pa..    . 

Feb.  —    1887. 

Meadow  mouse. 

Do. 

Jan.   28,  1879. 

Mice. 

,     Do. 

do. 

do. 

Do. 

Dec.  27,  1878. 

do. 

Do. 

April—,  1876. 



do. 

Do. 

Mar.  20,  1880, 

do. 

Beatrice,  Nebr  

Sept.  —  ,  1872, 

Gopher  Lizard  ;     70  in- 

sects. 

Elmira.  N.  Y  

Nov.    5.  1887. 

Rabbit. 

Do.                .... 

Jan.     3.  1888, 

Weasel. 

Sandy  Spring,  Md..  .   . 

Mar.  17.  1888. 

2  meadow  mice. 

Northampton.  Mass.  . 

April   9,  1888, 

do. 

APPENDIX. 


357 


ROUGH-LEGGED  HAWK—  Continued. 


LOCALITY. 


Date. 


Poultry 

or  game 

birds. 


Other  birds. 


Mammals. 


Miscellaneous. 


Northampton,  Mass.,  .  April  14,  1888 8  meadow  mice. 

Do,  .  .  do. 2  meadow  mice. 

Do.  .   .  April  15,  1888 j  Empty. 

Do.  .  .  do.  j 2  meadow  mice. 

Do.  .  .  do.  ! 3  meadow  mice. 

Summary.— Of  28  stomachs  examined,  23  contained  mice ;'4,  other  mammals;  1,  lizard;  1,  insects;  1  was 
empty.    Seventeen  stomachs  examined  by  the  division  contained  52  mice. 

GOLDEN  EAGLE  (Aquila  chrysaetos). 

Gaithersburgh,  Md. .    .     Dec.    8.  1887.   ', | |  Carrion. 

Summary.—  The  stomach  examined  contained  carrion. 

BALD  EAGLE  (ffaliceetus  leucocephalus). 

Sandy  Spring,  Md. .      .  Jan.   28.1887.  .  Carrion. 

OneidaLake,  N.  Y..     .  Aug.  30,  1886 Sunflsh. 

Do.  .  do.  Fish. 

Sing  Sing,  N.  Y Feb.  27.  1881 Goldfish. 

Paint  Rock,  Tex Jan.   28,  1887 2  prarie  dogs. 

Gainesville.  Fla.,  .  .  .  Jan.   13.  1888 Fish  and  offal. 

Summary. — Of  6  stomachs  examined,  1  contained  mammals;  2.  carrion;  4.  fish. 

PRAIRIE  FALCON  (Falco  mexicanus). 

Sarpy  county,  Neb.,     .     Sept.  — ,  1874 j  Prairie  hen j  16  locusts 

Summary.— The  1  stomach  examined  contained  a  game  bird  and  insects. 

DUCK  HAWK  (Falco  peregrinus  anatum). 

Portland.  Conn !  April  29.  1886.       Duck.  .  .     Beetles. 

East  Bradford,  Pa..     .  Feb.   14.  1886 Feathers. 

Do.  .  i  Mar.  27.  1880.   i  Fowl. 

Watkins,  N.  Y Oct.    28.  1887.   j Meadow  lark. 

Elmira,  N,  Y |  Dec.     3,  1887,   | 2  mice. 


Summit  /•»/.—  Of  5  stomachs  examined, 
other  birds;  1,  mice;  1,  insects. 


contained  poultry  and  remains  of  game  bird:  2.  remains  of 


PIGEON  HAWK  (Falco  columbarius). 


Shelter  Island.  N.  Y. 
Portland,  Conn. ,    .   . 
Lockport.  N.  Y.. 
Rockville.  Conn.,  .  . 

Long  Island  City,  N.Y. 
Sayville.  N.  Y.,  . 


East  Hartford,  Conn. 
Sing  Sing.  N.  Y.,  .  . 
East  Hartford.  Conn. 
West  Chester,  Pa..  . 
Barton.  N.  Y.,  . 

Do. 

Do. 


Sept.  11.  1886, 
May  6,  1886. 
May  14.  1886. 
Sept.  20.  1886, 

May  3.  1886. 
Sept.  14.  1887, 

Sept.  10.  1887. 
May  3.  1880. 
Sept.  24.  1886. 
Feb.  20.  1878. 
Aug.  2,  1886. 

do. 
Aii«.    3.  1886. 


Small  bird. 

Swift. 

Song  sparrow 


English  sparrow. 

Small  bird. 
Feathers. 
Indigo  bird. 
Feathers. 
Flicker. 


Field  mice. 
do. 


25    crickets  ;    6 
grasshoppers. 


Dragon   fl  1  e  s  ; 
other  insects. 


Insects 
do. 


358 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

PIGEON  HAWK — Continued. 


LOCALITY. 

Date. 

Poultry 
or  game 
birds. 

Other  birds. 

Mammals. 

Miscellaneous. 

Elmira.  N.  Y., 

June    4,  1886, 

English  sparrow 

Do.                 .... 
Do 

do. 
July     3,  1885, 

do. 

Grasshoppers  • 

Horseheads.  N.  Y..  . 
Elmira,  N.  Y  

Gainesville,  Fla..    .  '.   . 

Aug.  14,  1885, 
Aug.  29,  1885, 

Jan.     4.  1888, 

Field     sparrow  ; 

small  beetles. 
Small  insects. 
Grasshoppers  ; 
beetles. 

warbler. 

Summary. — Of  19  stomachs  examined,  12  contained  small  birds;  2,  mice;  7,  insects. 


SPARROW  HAWK  (Falco  sparverius). 


Locust  Grove,  N.  Y..  . 

Sing  Sing.  N.  Y.,    ... 
Washington   D.  C., 

Aug.  18,  1885. 

Sept.  22.  1885. 
Nov     3,  1885, 

Spider  ;    grass 
hoppers. 
Insect  remains. 

Alfred  Centre,  N.  Y.. 

Sept     4,  1885, 

crickets. 
Larvae 

Volusia  county,  Fla.  ,  . 

Mar.     1,  1885, 

Lizard. 

Do 

April   4.  1885. 

2  lizards'  insect 

Peterborough  ,  N.  Y.  , 

July   13    1886 

Hair  of  mice 

remains. 

Do. 
Do. 

July  24,  1886. 
July   24.  1886, 

Sparrow  

Grasshoppers  ; 
crickets. 
Crickets. 

Chester  county   Pa.  . 

July   28,  1886, 

Do 

do 

and  crickets. 

Do 

Feb    24    1886, 

and  crickets. 

East  Windsor  Hill,  Ct.  . 

Feb.    4,  1886. 

Empty. 

Maplewood,  N.  J..    .  . 
Do.                         .   . 
Lockport  N    Y.. 

Jan     16.  1886. 
May   25.  1886, 
Aug    31    1886, 



Song  sparrow. 
Vireo. 

30  crickets 

Avon.  Ohio  

July     5.  1886, 

Remains  of  in- 

Baddeck. Nova  Scotia. 

Aug.    13.1886. 

sects. 
Grasshoppers  . 

Gainesville,  Fla.  . 

April  20,1887, 

Lizard'  beetle' 

Harwood,  Dak  

Julv    13    1887. 

Mouse. 

larvae. 

Long  Island  City,  N.  Y.  . 

Sept.  16,  1887 

Grasshoppers 

East  Hartford.  Conn.. 

Sept.    i).  1887. 

and  crickets. 
Grasshoppers 

Portland   Conn 

April  12   1887 

and  crickets. 

Devil's  Lake   Dak 

Aug   13    1887 

sects. 

Bottineau.  Dak..    . 
Washington    D    C  , 

Aug.  27,  1887. 
Dec  24     1887 

hoppers;  crick- 
ets; larvae. 
Cricket. 

Do 

do 

beetles. 

Do. 
Do. 
Sing  Sing,  N.  Y.,    . 

DO- 

Dec.   25,  1887. 
Dec.    27.  1887, 
April;  10,  1880, 
Jan     29,  1883. 

English  sparrow,  . 

House  mouse.    . 
Meadow  mouse 

6  grasshoppers. 
Grasshoppers, 
do. 

DO.               ... 

Jan.    14,  1885. 

do. 

East  Hartford.  Conn., 
Do. 
Do. 

Sept.  18,  1886. 
July    16,  1886, 
Oct.    13.  1886, 

Song  sparrow. 
Sparrow  

Meadow  mouse, 

do. 
clo 

Sandy  Spring.  Md..  .   . 

Jan.    28,  1887, 

do. 

Do 

Mar.    2,  1887, 

House  mouse. 

Grasshopper 

Do 

do 

Do. 

Do.                        .   . 
Do.                        .   . 

Do. 
Do 

do. 
do. 
clo. 

do. 
do 

Song  sparrow. 

House  mouse.     , 
Meadow  mouse,. 

White-footed 
mouse;    house 
mouse. 

Remains  of  in- 
sects. 
Remains  of  in- 
sects. 

Do 

Mar     8    1887 

Song  sparrow 

sects. 
15  crickets. 

Do 

Mar.  12.   1887, 

.   . 

Grasshoppers; 

crickets;  cat- 
erpillars; bee- 
tles. 

PLATE  88. 


APPENDIX, 



SPARROW  HAWK — Continued. 


359 


LOCALITY. 

Date. 

Poultry 
or  game 
birds. 

Other  birds. 

Mammals. 

Miscellaneous. 

Sandy  Spring.  Md.  .  . 

Mar.  18.  1887. 

Vesper  sparrow 

Larva. 

Do. 

do. 

Meadow  mouse.  . 

Cricket;  beetles 

Do 

Mar.  24.  1887. 

House  mouse. 

Cricket;  larva1 

Do. 

do. 

Empty. 

Do 

April    1.  1887. 

Meadow  mouse. 

Do. 

April   8,  1887. 

do. 

Do. 

do. 

Meadow  mouse,  . 

Crickets;     bee- 

Do 

April  28.  1887 

Mouse 

tles;  spider. 
Spider 

Do.                       .  . 

May   13.  1887. 

Meadow  mouse.  . 

Grasshoppers; 

Do                        .  . 

June  23,  1887, 

white  grubs. 
Grasshoppers 

Do                         .  . 

Sept.  26,  1887. 

and  crickets. 
Grasshoppers  • 

Do                        .  . 

Oct.    28.  1887 

spider. 

Do. 

Jan.     2,  1888. 

Shrew. 

crickets;    spi- 
der. 
Grasshopper 

Do.                       .  . 

Feb.  22,  1888. 

Meadow  mouse. 

Do                        .  . 

Nov.  26   1887. 

Grasshoppers 

Chester  countv.  Pa-  . 

April  3.    1886 

Meadow  mouse 

etc. 
Caterpillars 

Do. 

Dec.  29,    1886. 

Mouse. 

Do 

Dec     28   1886 

Do. 
Do. 

Do.                       .   . 

Dec.    29.  1886. 
Jan.    17,  1886, 

Feb.     8.  1886, 



Sparrow. 
Song  sparrow.  .  . 

Tree  sparrow.   .  . 

White-footed 
mouse. 
White-footed 

hoppers. 

Do.                       .   . 
Do. 

Dec.     1,  1886, 
Dec.     3,  1386. 

mouse. 
Meadow  mouse. 

Grasshoppers; 
cricket;  larvae 
Beetle. 

Do. 
Do.                       .  . 

Dec.     9.  1886. 
do. 

Junco. 
Feathers, 

Meadow  mouse* 

Do. 

Dec.   16,  1886, 

do 

2  shrews. 

Do. 

Nov.  26,  1886. 

Meadow  mouse.  . 

Crickets. 

Do.                        .   . 

Feb.    7,   1887 

do 

Crickets'  cater- 

Do. 

Jan.    12,  1887. 

Tree  sparrow 

pillars;  spider 

Do. 

Mar.  10.  1886, 

Empty 

Do. 

Jan.     6,  1885, 

• 

Caterpillars' 

Do. 

Mar.  15,  1886, 

spider. 
Empty 

Do.                        .   . 

Do 

Jan.  —    1887 

do 

larvae. 

Do.                        .   . 

do. 

Do.                        .   . 

Dec.    20,  1886. 

Meadow  mouse 

Larva 

Do.                        .   . 

Jan.    10.  1887. 

Do.                        .   . 

Feb.     «.  1886, 

Do.                        .   . 

beetles;  larvae 

Do. 

sects. 

Do.                        .   . 

Jan.    —  ,  1887, 

House  mouse 

Grasshoppers  ; 

Do. 

10  larvae. 

Do. 

Jan.    25   1887 

larvae;  beetle. 

Do.                        .   . 

do. 

Do. 

do. 

do 

5  larvae  ;   spi- 
der 

Do. 

Jan.   27,  1887. 

Tree  sparrow 

do 

Do.                       .   . 

Jan.    —  ,  1887, 

do 

Do. 
Do. 

Feb.     1,  1887. 
do. 





White-footed 
mouse. 

Caterpillar; 
crickets;    spi- 
der. 

Do. 

do. 

6  caterpillars1  6 

Do. 

Nov.  29,  1886, 

grasshoppers; 
spider. 

Do. 

•liilv    3.    188«. 

<1o 

Do. 

Dec.  30,  1879. 

Meadow  lark 

Do. 

Dec.  16.  1879. 

Junco, 

Mice 

Drayton  Island,  Fla., 

Feb.  20,  1885, 

Feather 

do 

Goshen.  Pa  

Jan.  12,  1881, 

Mice 

West  Chester.  I'M..    . 

Oct.   27.  1880 

do 

Chestercounty  Pa.,  .    • 

Dec.  23,  1880, 

Meadow  lark 

do 

Do. 

Jan.  12,   1881. 

Mice 

Do. 

Jan.    17,    1881, 

do. 

Do. 

Sept.  24.  1880. 



Grasshopper. 

360 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


SPARROW  HAWK— Continued. 


LOCALITV. 

Date. 

Poultry 
or  game 
birds. 

Other  birds. 

Mammals. 

Miscellaneous. 

Chester  county,  Pa. 

Feb    16    1880, 

Mice 

Delaware  county.   Pa.  , 
Chestercounty.Pa.  ,  .  . 

Jan.  80.  1880, 
Jan.  14.  1881. 

:::::::;::: 

do. 
do. 

East  Bradford,  Pa.,  .   . 

Jan.     1,  1880, 

Insects 

Chester  county,  Pa.  , 

Nov  20    1879, 





do 

Do. 
Do. 

Aug.  25,  1876, 
July  —  .    1870, 

Mice. 
Bat. 

Do.                        .   . 
DIxon  county.  Neb..     . 

Jan.  16,    1879, 
July  —  ,    1865. 

Junco  

Mice. 
Mouse,    

8     locusts;      27 

Dakota  county,  Neb.  , 

do 

Gopher 

other  insects. 
38  insects 

Do. 

june  _,  1866, 

Quail,  . 

29  insects 

Do 

july  _    1866 

34  insects 

Do.                      .  . 

Aug.  —  ,   1867, 

Rabbit, 

22  insects 

Cedar  county,  Neb.,  .  . 

do. 

Mice,    ...       .   i 

47  locusts. 

Pierce  county.  Neb..    . 
Sarpy  county.  Neb.,  .  . 

July  —  ,  1869, 
Sept.—.   1871, 

Gopher  
Mice  

40  in  sects. 
37  insects. 

Do.                       .   . 

June—,  1872, 

Birds.    .  . 

43  insects. 

Lancaster  county  Neb 

gept  —    1873. 

Hale  county,  Ala.,    .   . 

Mar.  17,  1888. 

Grasshoppers' 

Gainesville,  Fla  

Jan.     4.  1888. 

crickets. 
Remains  of  in- 

Do. 

Jan.     9,  1888, 

sects. 
Larvae    and 

Los  Gatos,  Cal  
Do 

Dec.     7,  1887, 
Dec          1887, 

Sparrow. 

other  insects. 
Crickets 

Do. 
Do. 

Sandv  Spring,  Md.,   .  . 

Jan.   19.  1885. 
Dec.  31.  1887. 

Apr.     2.  1888. 

:  :  :  :  : 

Warbler. 
Meadow    lark  ; 
sparrow. 
Field  sparrow, 

White    grub; 

Chester  county.  Pa.,    . 

Feb.     7,  1887. 

beetles,  spider 
Caterpillar. 

Summary.—  Of  the  133  stomachs  examined.  1  contained  game  bird;  28,  other  birds;  55,  mice;  6,  other 
mammals;  6.  reptiles  or  batrachians;  83,  insects;  12.  spiders,  and  5  were  empty. 

BARN  OWL  (Strix  pratincola). 


Chickemauga,  Tenn.  ,  . 
Chester  county.  Pa.  .    . 

Nov.  27.  1885, 
May  21,  1886, 

Cowbird  ;  spar- 
row. 

Meadow  mice. 

Do. 
Dixon  county,  Neb.  ,    . 

Dec.  8,  1886, 
Aug.  —  ,  1867, 

Pigeon. 

Mouse,    

39    locusts  ;     22 

Dakota  county.  Neb..  . 
Lancaster  county,  Neb. 

July  —  .  1868. 
June  —  ,  1872, 



Mouse 

other  insects. 
55  insects. 
40  insects. 

Gainesville.  Fla.,  .  .   . 

Feb.  4,  1887, 

2  cotton  rats;  2 
shrews. 

Summary. — Of  7  stomachs  examined.  1  contained  poultry;  1,  other  birds:  4.  mice;  1,  other  mammals; 
3,  insects. 

LONG-EARED  OWL  (Asio  wilsonianus). 


Cob  nil  a  Valley,  Cal..  . 
Washington,  D.  C.,  .  . 
Sheepshead  Bay,  L.  I.. 

Apr.     1.  1886, 
Mar.  27.  1887, 
Nov.    2,  1886. 

::::: 

Song  Sparrow,  .'. 
Junco;  kinglet,    . 

2  pocket  mice. 
Meadow  mouse, 
do. 

N.  Y. 
Washington,  D.  C.,  .  . 

Mar.  16,  1887, 

Empty. 

Sandy  Spring  Md 

Mar.    8,  1887 

do. 

Do. 

Mar.  12,  1887, 

Meadow  mouse. 

Do 

Mar.  18,  1887 

do. 

Do 

Nov    19    1887 

do 

Do 

Jan.     7,  1888, 

2  meadow  mice, 

Jan     11    1887 

Do 

Nov    20    1886. 

3  house  mice. 
Meadow  mouse. 

Do 

Dec.   11.  188(i. 

do. 

Do 

Jan.    28    1887, 

2  meadow  mice. 

Do 

do 

White  -footed 

Do. 

mouse;  mead- 
ow mouse. 
Meadow  mouse. 

Plate  89. 


L  Yellow-billed  Cuckoo.       2.  Black-bitted  Cuckoo. 

Males.     * 


APPENDIX. 


361 


LONG-BAKED  OWL — Continued. 


LOCALITY. 

Date. 

Poultry 
or  game 
birds. 

Other  birds. 

Mammals. 

Miscellaneous. 

Dec.  13,  1886. 

White-footed 

Woodstock.  Conn..   .  . 
Boston.  Mass  

Montgomery  co  ,  Pa.  , 

June  —  .  1887. 
Oct.    13,  1887, 

Dec.  26.  1887, 



Sparrow  ;    w  a  r  - 
bier. 

mouse;       2 
meadow  mice; 
shrew. 
4  meadow  mice. 
Meadow  mouse. 

do 

Sing  Sing,  N.  Y  
Do. 

Apr.  29,  1880, 
do. 

Goldfinch;  2  spar- 
rows. 

Mouse. 
2  mice 

Do.                   ... 

Chester  county.  Pa.  , 

do. 
Nov.  25.  1886, 



Small  bird,     .  .   . 

do. 
Mice 

. 

Do 

Nov    10    1878 

do 

Do 

Dec    30,  1884, 

do 

Westtown  Pa  

Feb.  23,  1879 

do. 

Do 

do. 

do 

Do.                .... 

do. 
do 



do. 
do 

Do 

do. 

do. 

Do. 
Do 

do. 
do 

do. 
do 

Do. 
Do 

Nov.  22,  1880. 
Dec     5   1879 

do. 
do 

Do 

Feb.  25,  1880, 

do. 

Do. 

do. 

do. 

Do. 
Do. 
Do 

do. 
do. 
do 

;::::::,:::: 

do. 
do. 
do 

Dakota  county  Neb.,  . 

July  —  .  1865 

Rabbit, 

Few  insects 

Elmira.  N.  Y  
Do 

Aug.    5.  1885 
Aug.  12.  1885 

Field  mice. 
>     do 

Do.                .... 
Do 

Oct.    13.  1886 
do 

do. 
do 

Nichols.  N.  Y.. 

July     4.  1887 

Empty 

Tioga    Pa  , 

Sept    2    1887 

Field  mice 

Elmira,  N.  Y  

Dec.  21.  1887 

Quail. 

Summary.—  Of  47  stomachs  examined,  1  contained  a  game  bird;  5,  other  birds;  40,  mice;  2.  other  ani- 
mals; 1,  insects,  and  5  were  empty. 


SHORT-EARED  OWL  (Asio  accipitrinus). 


Washington.  D,  C.,  .   . 

Nov.  22,  1886 

2  juncos  ;    1  fox 

Onkdale.  N.  Y.. 

Nov.  27,  1886. 

sparrow. 

• 

Kockville.  Conn?,  .  .   . 

Oct.    22,  1886. 

2  meadow  mice 

Do. 

do 

Koshkonong,  Wis.  ,   .   . 

Sept.  25.  1886. 

Washington.  D.  C.,  .   . 

Apr.  20,  1887. 

3  meadow  mice. 

Hillsb  o  r  o  ugh  ,   New 

Sept.   3.  1887 

Kiim.svvick. 
Washington.  D.  C.  . 

Jan.   —  ,  1887 

Do. 
Ilackensack.  N.  J.,  .   . 

South  Windsor,  Conn 

Mar.  28.  1887. 
Mar.  31,  1887. 

Mar   29   1887 

:  :  :  :  : 

Robin. 

2  meadow  mice; 
1  shrew. 

Do. 

do. 

do 

Do. 

Nov     4    1887 

do 

Do. 

do 

Do. 

do. 

4  meadow  mice 

Washington.  D.  C.  .  . 

Jan.   23    1888 

(Jlastonbury,  Conn.,    . 

Nov.  23,  1886, 

1)0. 

do. 

do 

East  Hartford.  Conri., 

Nov.  11    1886. 

Do. 

Sandv  Springs,  Md.. 

Nov.    2.  1886. 
Jan.    28.  1887. 



3  meadow  mice. 

Do. 

Mar     5    1887 

Do. 

do. 

do 

Do. 
Do. 

do. 
do. 



Mouse 

do. 

Do. 

Jan      7    1888 

Do. 

Feb.  13,  1888, 

do 

Oicster  county.  Pa.  ,    . 
Do. 

Jan.  25.  1887. 
Dec.  21,  1886, 

Meadow  mouse, 
do 

On 

Dec    10    1886. 

Do. 

Nov.  20,  1886, 

Do. 

Nov.  25.  1886, 

1  meadow  mouse. 

Do. 
Do. 

Nov.  27.  1886, 
Dec.     8.  1886. 

Feathers. 

Do. 

Mar     5.  1887 

do 

Do. 

.   t   „ 

Mice. 

362 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


SHORT-EARED  OWL,— Continued. 


LOCALITY. 

Date. 

Poultry 
or  game 
birds. 

Other  birds. 

Mammals. 

Miscellaneous. 

Chester  county.  Pa.  .    . 
Do. 

Jan.     4,  1880. 
Jan.     6,  1880, 



Mice, 
do 

Dakota  county,  Neb.,  . 

July  —  ,  1870, 

Rabbit 

Lincoln.  Neb.,     .... 

Sept.  —  .  1868, 

Elmira.  N.  Y  

Aug.  13    1884. 

Field  mice 

Do. 

Aug.    3.  1886, 

do. 

do 

Do. 

Aug.    7.  1886, 

do 

do 

Erin,  N.  Y  

Oct.      5.  1887. 

do. 

do 

Do  .   . 

Dec.  29,  1887, 

do 

do 

Summary.—  Of  45  stomachs  examined,  4  contained  small  birds;  34,  mice;  3,  other  mammals,  7,  Insects, 
and  6  were  empty. 


BARRED  OWL  (Syrnium  nebulosum). 


Englewood,  N.  J..     . 
Alfred  Centre.  N.  Y.. 

Feb.  22.  1886. 
Oct.    22.  1886, 

Meadow  mouse. 

Whitewater,  Wis.,    .  . 

Aug.  30,  1886, 

Washington,  D.  C.  ,  .  . 

Feb.  15,  1887, 

Do.                      .  . 

Mar.  16.  1887, 

Shrew,    

Greensborough,  Ala.  .  . 

Nov.  15,  1887, 

Moose  River.  N.  Y..    . 

June  10.  1878, 

12     red-backed 

Sing  Sing.  N.  Y  
Do. 

Nov    27,  1882. 
Jan.   21,  1885. 

Fowl. 

mice. 
2  meadow  mice 

Do.                    ... 

Saint  Louis.  Mo  

Mar.  21,  1885. 
Spring.     1885, 

Saw-whet  owl. 
Screech  owl. 

Eubanks.  Ky  

Mar.  21,  1887. 

Greensborough.  Ala., 

Nov.  12,  1887, 

rabbit. 

Sand  Spring.  Md.,     .  . 

Apr.  25.  1887, 

Do. 

Nov.  14.  1887, 

Do. 
Do. 

Nov.  28.  1887. 
Feb.  11,  1888, 

.  . 

Screech  owl. 

Do. 
Do. 

Feb.  18.  1888, 
Feb.  19.  1888. 

.  . 

Meadow  mice. 
Rabbit 

Chester  county,  Pa.  , 

Dec.   10.  1886. 

Flying  squirrel 

Do. 

Dec.   16,  1886. 

Rabbit 

Do. 

Mice 

Do. 

Jan.   —  ,  1880, 

do 

Jan.   17    1881. 

do. 

Elmira,  N.  Y.. 

Aug.    1,  1885, 

Do 

Aug     7,  1886 

Waverly.  N.  Y  

Sept.   4.  1887. 

Mice 

Barton,  N.  Y., 

Oct.    17.  1886 

Halsey  Valley,  N.  Y.. 

Oct.      5.  1887, 

Elmira.  N.  Y.,     .... 

Nov.    4,  1884. 

Mice. 

Tyrone,  N.  Y.,    . 

Nov.  13,  1887, 

Elmira,  N.  Y.. 

Dec.     1.  1886, 

Weasel 

Caton,  N.  Y..   . 

Jan.     1,  1885. 

Mice 

Tioga.  N.  Y.,    .  . 

Feb.     9,  1886, 

Elmira.  N.  Y.. 
Do 

Feb.  19.  1887. 
Mar     3    1886. 

Small  birds. 

mole. 

Alexandria,  Va  

Apr.   17,  1888, 

Empty. 

do. 

Frog;  8  larvae 
Spider;   grass- 
hop  p  e  r  s  : 
crickets. 


Empty. 
Crawfish. 


Empty. 


Frog;  crawfish 
Insects. 
Fish;  insects. 
Empty. 


do. 


Summary. — Of  37  stomachs  examined,  1  contained  poultry;  4.  other  birds;  16.  mice;  8,  other  mammah 
2,  frogs;  4,  Insects;  1,  spider;  2,  crawflhh;  1.  flsh,  and  6  were  empty. 


FLORIDA  BARRED  OWL  (Syrnium  nebulosum  alleni). 


Gainesville.  Fla  

Apr.   20.  1887. 

Do. 

May     9.  1887. 

grasshoppers  ; 
larvae;  beetle. 
Lizard 

Do. 

Dec.  29,  1887, 

Mouse. 

Do.                   .  .   . 

Feb.   19.  1888. 

do 

Summary.—  Of  4  stomachs  examined,  2  contained  mice;  2.  batrachian  arid  reptile;   1.  insects;  1.  craw- 
fish. 


APPENDIX. 


363 


SAW-WHET  OWL  (Nyctala  acadica). 


LOCALITY. 

Date. 

Poultry 
or  game 
birds. 

Other  birds. 

Mammals. 

Miscellaneous. 

Taunton.  Mass  

Dec.  11.  1885. 

Mouse  hair. 

East  Hartford   Conn  . 

Jan.     7.  1887. 

White-footed 

Hillsborough    N    B 

Oct.    21    1886, 

mouse. 
Mouse  hair. 

Klatbush.  N.  Y  
Locust  Grove   N    Y 

Nov.    3.  1887, 
Jan.   24.  1884, 

House  mouse. 
Meadow  mouse. 

Sing  Sing,  N.  Y  

Jan.    13,  1885, 

do. 

Summary.— Of  6  stomachs  examined,  all  contained  mice. 


SCREECH  OWL  ( Megascops  ast'o). 


Sing  Sing   N   Y 

Aug   31    1885, 

Atlanticville,  N.  Y.    . 

Dec.     4.  1885, 

Mouse  hair. 

Sing  Sing   N    Y 

Sept  25    1886 

do 

Washington   D.  C.. 

Nov.  —  ,  1886. 

Meadow  mouse 

Do.                      -  . 

do. 

2     white-footed 

do 

Do 

do. 

mice. 

do. 

Do 

do 

do 

Do 

do. 

Mouse  hair. 

do. 

Do. 
Do 

do. 
do. 



Tree  sparrow. 

do 

Do. 
Do. 

do. 
do. 

Feathers. 

Mouse  hair. 

Do 

do. 

do 

River  Vale  N  J 

Nov    20    1885 

Nov    26,  1885 

House  mouse 

Alfred  Centre,  N.  Y.. 

Oct.    10,  1886, 

White-footed 

Grasshopper; 

Peterborough.  N.  Y..  . 

Sept.  11.  1886, 
July     8.  1886, 



Sparrow  

mouse, 
do. 

crickets; 
crawfish. 
Grasshoppers. 

Cleveland.  Ohio.     .  .  . 

Mar.  12.  1886, 

Meadow  mouse. 

East  Hartford    Conn  , 

June  23.  1886 

3  small  birds, 

7  beetles 

Gainesville.   Fla  

Mar.  12,  1887. 

Grasshoppers  • 

Washington    D   C 

Jan     —    1887 

White  footed 

larvae  of  bee- 
tles. 

Do 

do 

mouse;  meadow 
mouse. 

Do.                      .  . 
Do.                       .  . 

do. 
do. 

Screech  owl. 
do. 

Do 

Feb    15   1887 

Mouse 

Rockville   Conn  

May  28.  1887, 

Empty 

Do 

do 

Beetle 

Portland,  Conn  

Oct.    22.  1886, 

Spider 

Do.                      .  . 

Lockport,  N.  Y., 

Dec.  23.  1886, 
Jan.     7.  1888. 

Pigeon. 

Crawfish 

Portland.  Conn  

May     5,  1887. 

7  May  beetles 

Washington,  D.  C..  .   . 
East  Hartford,  Conn.  . 

Philadelphia.  Pa.. 

Feb.   13,  1887. 
July   16,  1886, 

Apr.   20,  1886 

2    English    spar- 
rows. 

2  pine  mice. 

May  beetles 

2  cicadse 

Sandy  Spring.  Md.,  . 

Mar.     2,  1887 

Insects 

Do.                       ,   . 

do. 

2  mice. 

Chester  county,  Pa.  .    . 
Do. 
Do. 
Do. 

Jan.    11.  1886. 
Jan.     5.  1886, 
Apr.  22.  1886. 
Jan.     7.  1887 

Feathers,    .  .  .  . 
Feathers. 

Mouse  hair. 
House  mouse. 

Beetle. 

Do. 

Jan.     8.  1887. 

House  mouse. 

Do. 

Nov.  10,  1887 

Meadow  mouse. 

Do. 

1876 

Do. 

Nov.  27.  1887. 

house  mouse. 
White-f  o  o  t  e  d 

Do. 

do. 

mouse. 

Empty. 

Do. 

Dec.    6   1886 

Meadow  mouse 

Do 

Dec    10   1886 

Do. 

do. 

Empty 

Do 

Feb    12    1887 

»     Do. 
Do. 
Do 

Feb.     9.  1887, 
Feb.  18.  1887. 
Jan     15   1887 

.  .   .      . 

House  mouse, 
do. 
do 

matter. 

Do. 
Do. 
Do. 

Jan.    17.  1887, 
Dec.   27.  1886, 
Jan.    II.  1887, 

do. 
Mouse  hair. 
House  mouse. 

Do. 

Feb.    9.  1887, 

Trace. 

Do. 

Feb.  10.  1887. 

Empty. 

364 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


SCREECH  OWL, — Continued. 


LOCALITY. 

Date. 

Poultry 
or  game 
birds. 

Other  birds. 

Mammals. 

Miscellaneous. 

Chester  county.  Pa.  , 

Jan     17.  1887, 

Mouse  hair 

Do. 

Feb.  11.  1887, 

Empty  . 

Do 

June    7.  1884, 

Insects 

Do. 

Jan.     8,  1886. 

do. 

Do 

Jan.     G,  1885, 

do 

Do. 
Do. 
Do. 

Dec.   18,  1886, 
Nov.  17.  1880. 
Nov.  26,  1880, 

English  sparrow. 

Mice. 
Mice. 

Do. 

Aug.  20    1876, 

Grassho  ppers 

Delaware  county.  Pa.. 
Cedar  county   Neb 

Dec.     5,  1879, 
gept.  _,  1867. 

Mice. 

47  loc  u  s  t  s  •   12 

Do 

do 

Small  bird. 

other  insects. 
32  locusts*  3 

Do 

June  —    1868, 

otherinsects. 
41    locusts  •    22 

July   —    1869. 

Mouse 

otherinsects. 
69  insects. 

Do. 

Aug.  -,  1870, 
Sept  —   1872, 

do  

38  insects. 
67  insects 

Nemaha  county  Neb.  , 

Sept.  —  -,  1874, 

50   locusts  ;    16 

Lancaster  co..    Neb,. 

Elmira.  N.  Y  
Do.                .... 

June  —  .  1875, 

Jan    29.  1886, 
Jan.   30,  1886, 

English  sparrow. 
Feathers,    .... 

Mice, 
do. 

otherinsects. 
49  locusts  ;     15 
otherinsects. 

Horseheads   N    Y  , 

Feb.    4,  1886. 

English  sparrow. 

Chemung   N    Y 

Mar     7   1886 

Field  mice 

Elmira   N    Y 

Mar.  21,  1886, 

Mice  (?) 

Barton.  N.  Y.,     .... 
Waverly  N  Y 

Apr.  13,  1887, 
Apr.  15,  1886, 

Junco. 

Insects. 

Tioga    Pa 

Oct       5   1886 

Mice 

Wellsborough,  Pa..  .  . 
Elmira,  N.  Y  
Do 

Oct.      8.  1887, 
Oct.    21,  1886, 
Oct     23    1886, 



English  sparrow. 
Shore  lark. 

Mice. 

Do.                .... 
Wellsburgh,  N.  Y..  .  . 
Canton,  N.  Y  
Washington   D    C 

Oct.    25.  1887. 
Nov     2,  1886, 
Dec.  24,  1887, 
Mar   25    1888 

English  sparrow. 
English  sparrow. 

Meadow  mouse. 

Empty. 
Crawfish. 

Do 

do. 

Empty. 

West  Chester,  Pa.,    .  . 

Jan.     6,  1887. 





House  mouse. 

Summary.—  Of  94  stomachs  examined.  1  contained  poultry;  20,  other  birds;  41,  mice;  1.  other  mammal; 
1,  frog  ;  35,  insects  ;  3,  crawfish  ;  1.  spider  ;  1  indeterminate  matter,  and  7  were  empty 


GREAT-HORNED  OWL  (Bubo  virginianus). 


Chattanooga.  Tenn.  .    . 
New  London   Wis 

Dec.  25,  1885, 
Oct     25   1886 

Quail.  . 

Fox  squirrel 

Chester  county,  Pa.  ,    . 
Adairsville   Ga 

May   11,  1886, 
May  20,  1886, 

Guinea 
fowl. 

Beetle. 

Lockport,  N.  Y  
Do 

Jan.     2.  1887. 

Fowl, 
do. 

June  16   1887 

do. 

Rabbit. 

Sing  Sing,  N.  Y  

Do. 
Do 

Jan.  19,  1883, 

July     9.  1884, 
Nov    12    1884 

Guinea 
fowl. 
Fowl,  . 

Robin. 

Shrew. 

Do 

Feb.  26.  1885, 

Rabbit. 

Paint  Rock,  Texas,  .   . 

Apr.  23,  1887, 
Mar    12   1887 

Cooper's  hawk  ; 
1  a  r  k-fi  n  c  h  ; 
mockingbird. 

Meadow  mouse. 

Feb    15,  1886, 

Rabbit. 

Do. 

Sept.  —  .  1878, 

july     —  f    1869, 

* 

Gopher  

30  insects. 

Elmira  N    Y 

Oct       4    1885 

Skunk. 

Do.             

Oct.      7,  1886, 
Aug    15    1884 

Ruffed 
grouse. 

Gray  squirrel. 

Tyrone,  N.  Y  
Elmira,  N.  Y  

Sept,    4.  1886, 
Nov.    5.  1885, 

Poultry, 
do. 

Nov     2    1886 

Rabbit. 

Dec    13   1884 

Skunk. 

Dec    15    1884 

Weasel  (?) 

Gaines,  Pa  

Dec.  29,  1885, 

Ruffed 
grouse. 

PLATE  90. 


1.  Chimney  Swift.    2.  Bank  Swallow. 
Males. 


APPENDIX. 


365 


GREAT  HORNED  OWL — Continued, 


LOCALITY. 

Date. 

Poultry 
or  game 
birds. 

Other  birds. 

Mammals. 

Miscellaneous. 

Elmira.  N.  Y.. 
Do.               .... 

Jan.     3.  1884. 
Jan.     5.  1885. 

Poultry. 

Empty 

Big  Flats.  N.  Y  
Erin.  N.  Y  

Sandy  Spring,  Md.  .  .  . 

Jan.    17.  1886, 
Jan.    29.  1887, 

Apr.     7.  1888. 

Poultry. 
Ruffed 
grouse. 

Rabbit 

Summary. — Of  30  stomachs  examined.  16  contained  poultry  or  game  birds  :  2,  other  birds  ;  1.  mice  :  12. 
other  mammals  ;  2.  insects,  and  1  was  empty. 


SNOWY  OWL  (Nyctea  nyctea). 


Washington.  D.  C..  .  . 

Nov.  11.  1885, 

Portland.  Conn  

Nov.  20.  1885, 

do 

Keokuk.  Iowa.           .  . 

Dec.     6,  1886, 

Prairie 

Lockport    N    Y. 

Nov.  17.  1886 

hen. 

do 

Do.                   .  .   . 

do. 

:  :  :  :  : 

do 

Chester  county.  Pa 

Dec    14    1886 

.Summary. —Of  6  stomachs  examined,  1  contained  game  bird  ;  2,  mice,  and  4  were  empty. 


HAWK  OWL  (Surma  ulula  caparoch). 


Quebec,  Canada.    .  .  .     Jan.   15. 


Meadow  mouse. 


Summary.—  The  1  stomach  examined  contained  a  mouse. 


BURROWING  OWL  (Speotyto  cunicularia  hypoc/cea). 


Fort  Buford,  Dak.  .    .   . 

Sept.  29.  1887. 

Wayne  countv,   Neb., 

June  —  ,  1868, 

Do. 

do. 

Lizard  •    30   in- 

Pierce county.  Neb.  ,    . 

do. 

sects. 
49   locusts  •     17 

Do. 

do. 

other  insects. 
i';    locusts  •    10 

Do. 

do. 

other  insects. 

Wayne  county.   Neb.  , 

Julv   —  ,  1869, 

other  Insects. 

Sydney.    Cheyenne 

June  —  ,  1875, 

59     locusts  •     3 

county.  Neb. 
OKalalla,  Keith  county, 

Sept.  —  ,  1876, 

other  insects. 

Neb. 
Ogalalla.  Keith  county, 

do. 

other  Inserts. 
58     locu^t^-  •      4 

Neb. 

other  insects. 

ten  Htomachs  examined.  2  contained  mice  :  1.  other  mammal  :  10,  insects. 


366  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

SUMMARY  OF  STOMACHS  EXAMINED. 

Swallow-tailed  Kite  (Elanoides  forflcatus). a 

Mississippi  Kite  (Ictinia  mississippiensis) 2 

Marsh  Hawk  (Circus  h udsonsius) 4G 

Sharped-shinned  Hawk  (Accipiter  velox) 48 

Cooper's  Hawk  (Accipiter  cooperi) 46 

Goshawk  (Accipiter  atricapillus) t> 

Red-tailed  Hawk  (Buteo  borealis) 311 

Red-shouldered  Hawk  (Buteo  lineatus) 102 

Swainson's  Hawk  (Buteo  swainsoni) 4 

Broad-winged  Hawk  ( Buteo  latissimus ) 22 

Rough-legged  Hawk  (Archibuteo  lagopus  sancti-johannis) 28 

Golden  Eagle  (Aquilla  chrysaetos) 1 

Bald  Eagle  (Haliceetus  leucocephalus) 6 

Prairie  Falcon  (Falco  mexicanus) 1 

Duck  Hawk  (Falco  peregrinus  anatum), 5 

Pigeon  Hawk  (Falco  columbarius) 19 

Sparrow  Hawk  (Falco  sparverius) 133 


Total  number  of  hawks 785 


Barn  Owl  (Strixpratincola) 7 

Long-eared  Owl  (Asio  wilsonianus) 47 

Short-eared  Owl  (Asio  accipitrinus) 45 

Barred  Owl  ( Syrnium  nebulosum ) 37 

Florida  Barred  Owl  (Syrnium  nebulosum  alleni) 4 

Saw-whet  Owl  (Nyctalaacadica) 6 

Screech  Owl  (Megascops  asio) 94 

Great-Horned  Owl  (Bubo  virginianus) 30 

Snowy  Owl  ( Nyctea  nyctea ) 6 

Hawk  Owl  (Surnia  ulula  caparoch) 1 

Burrowing  Owl  (Speotyto  cunicularia  hypogcea) 10 

Total  number  of  owls 287 

Total  number  of  hawks 785 

Total  number  of  hawks  and  owls.    .                                 1.072 


NOTE. — Swainson's  Hawk  (Buteo  swainsoni).  the  Prairia  Falcon  (Falco  mexicanus).  Florida  Barred 
Owl  ( Syrnium  nabulosum alleni).  and  Burrowing  Owl  (Speotyto  cunicularia  hypogcea)  are  the  only  birds 
mentioned  in  this  report  which  are  not  included  in  the  fauna  of  Pennsylvania.— B.  H.  WARREN. 


APPENDIX.  367 


THE  FOOD  OF  CROWS. 

By  WALTER  B.  BARROWS,  S.  B.,  Assistant  Ornithologist. 

The  economic  status  of  the  Common  Crow  (Corvus  americanus)  has  been  dis- 
cussed so  often,  and  yet  with  such  uncertain  results,  that  it  was  one  of  the  first  birds 
to  receive  attention  when  the  division  was  organized  in  1885,  being  particularly  men- 
tioned in  the  circular  issued  that  year.  Several  hundred  replies  to  the  questions 
contained  in  that  circular  were  received  during  that  and  the  following  year,  and 
much  additional  information  was  collected  by  subsequent  correspondence.  A  re- 
quest for  stomachs  of  the  crow  was  contained  in  the  circular  issued  in  1886,  and, 
although  the  responses  to  this  have  not  been  as  numerous  as  could  be  desired,  a 
number  of  correspondents  have  given  material  assistance,  so  that  it  is  possible  to 
append  to  the  present  paper  the  results  of  the  dissection  of  eighty-six  stomachs  of 
the  Common  Crow  (Corvus  americanus)  and  twelve  of  the  Fish  Crow  (Corvus  ossi- 
fragus).  Thus  the  material  at  hand  for  a  study  of  the  food  of  crows,  though  by  no 
means  abundant,  is  nevertheless  considerable,  and  sufficient  progress  has  been 
made  in  its  investigation  to  justify  the  publication  of  some  of  the  results.  One  of 
the  main  objects  of  the  present  paper,  however,  is  to  call  the  attention  of  farmers 
and  others  to  the  disputed  and  unsettled  questions  relating  to  the  crow  and  to  secure 
their  aid  and  cooperation  in  collecting  evidence  which  will  hasten  a  final  settle- 
ment of  these  points. 

It  is  unnecessary  at  the  present  time  to  refer  to  the  numerous  contributions  to  our 
knowledge  of  the  crows'  habits  made  from  time  to  time  during  the  last  centurj^,  but 
it  may  be  broadly  stated  that  but  three  strong  points  in  its  favor  have  ever  been 
claimed  for  the  crow  even  by  its  warmest  friends  :  These  are  (1)  the  habit  of  de- 
stroying injurious  insects ;  (2)  the  habit  of  catching  mice ;  and  (3)  the  habit  of  eat- 
ing carrion.  A  few  writers,  mainly  men  of  very  limited  experience,  have  main- 
tained, it  is  true,  that  the  crow  never  does  any  harm  worth  mentioning ;  but  the 
more  rational  of  his  defenders  admit  freely  that  a  large  amount  of  damage  is  done 
but  claim  that  this  is  more  than  compensated  by  the  good  habits  just  specified.  Of 
these,  the  carrion-feeding  and  mouse-eating  habits  have  been  the  weaker  arguments, 
and  the  place  of  the  crow  as  a  beneficial  bird  has  rested  mainly  on  the  ground  of  its 
supposed  services  in  the  destruction  of  noxious  insects. 

On  the  other  hand,  the  injuries  inflicted  by  the  crow  are  more  varied,  those  most 
commonly  complained  of  being  : 

(1)  Destruction  of  young  grain,  particularly  Indian  corn  on  first  coming  up. 

(2)  Destruction  of  ripe  or  ripening  corn  and  other  grain. 

(3)  Destruction  of  ripe  or  ripening  fruits  of  some  kinds. 

(4)  Destruction  of  various  other  vegetable  products. 

(5)  Destruction  of  the  eggs  and  young  of  poultry. 

(6)  Destruction  of  the  eggs  and  young  of  wild  birds. 

Nearly  every  one  in  the  least  familiar  with  the  habits  of  the  crow  will  readily 
admit  that  the  bird  is  more  or  less  beneficial  or  injurious  in  the  ways  indicated 
above,  but  the  greatest  diversity  of  opinion  exists  as  to  the  degree  of  benefit  or  injury 
to  be  assigned  to  each  category. 

The  division  has  succeeded  in  bringing  together  a  large  amount  of  opinion  on 
these  points,  and  a  considerable  amount  of  what  may  be  regarded  properly  as  evi- 
ilcnt-c..  Moreover,  some  additional  charges  against  the  crow  have  been  preferred 
and  some  further  claims  of  merit  are  brought  forward.  Statements  of  mere  opinion 


368  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

carry  little  weight  unless  the  facts  on  which  these  opinions  are  based  are  fully 
known.  On  the  other  hand,  the  careful  record  of  any  actual  experience  with  the 
crow  is  entitled  to  thoughtful  consideration,  the  weight  to  be  given  to  such  evidence 
being  modified  only  according  to  the  known  fitness  or  unfitness  of  the  observer  to 
appreciate  all  the  elements  entering  into  the  case. 

As  the  entire  question  relates  primarily  to  the  food  of  the  crow,  it  is  obvious  that 
the  careful  examination  of  a  sufficient  number  of  crow  stomachs  would  be  the  only 
certain  method  of  settling  all  questions  ;  but  the  number  of  stomachs  required  nec- 
essarily would  be  very  great,  and  in  order  fully  to  weigh  the  evidence  thus  afforded, 
full  notes  as  to  locality,  date,  time  of  day,  character  of  place  where  killed,  age  of 
bird,  etc.,  are  indispensable. 

About  one  hundred  stomachs,  accompanied  by  such  data,  have  been  carefully  ex- 
amined thus  far.  Unfortunately,  however,  most  of  these  stomachs  were  those  of 
adult  crows,  and  very  few  of  them  were  taken  during  the  spring  and  early  summer, 
when  the  crow  is  supposed  to  be  the  most  beneficial. 

It  has  proved  more  difficult  than  was  expected  to  secure  crows  during  the  spring 
and  summer  months,  but  a  special  effort  will  be  made  during  the  season  of  1889,  and 
it  is  hoped  that  a  large  number  of  stomachs  may  be  collected  and  examined.  Those 
of  young  crows  are  particularly  desired,  but  those  of  crows  of  any  age  if  taken  dur- 
ing spring  or  summer  will  be  very  acceptable.  Persons  willing  to  aid  the  division 
in  this  way  will  be  furnished  with  instructions  and  materials  on  application  to  the 
ornithologist,  *  and  all  costs  of  transportation  will  be  defrayed  by  the  department. 

In  response  to  questions  relating  to  the  food  habits  of  crows  replies  have  been  re- 
ceived from  upwards  of  five  hundred  persons,  and  the  information  afforded  by  these 
replies,  in  combination  with  the  results  of  dissection,  form  the  basis  of  the  following 
report : 

INJURY  TO  INDIAN  CORN,  WHEAT,  AND  OTHER  CEREALS. 

It  seems  almost  superfluous  to  say  that  the  crow  at  certain  times  and  places  is  very 
destructive  to  crops  of  sprouting  grain,  for  its  corn-pulling  habits  were  well  known 
even  in  colonial  times,  and  from  that  day  until  the  present,  wherever  the  bird  is  at 
all  abundant,  a  newly-planted  cornfield  without  scare  crows  has  been  the  exception 
and  not  the  rule.  Doubtless  the  destruction  is  greatest  during  the  first  week  or  two 
after  the  corn  appears  above  ground,  but  if  all  reports  are  to  be  credited  consider- 
able harm  is  done  by  digging  up  the  seed  corn  directly  after  planting,  even  before 
the  grain  has  begun  to  germinate.  One  observer  states  that  the  crow  eats  corn  <  <  from 
ten  minutes  after  planting  until  the  blades  are  three  inches  high,"  and  more  than  a 
score  of  other  observers  state  definitely  that  the  crow  not  only  pulls  up  the  young 
plants,  but  digs  up  the  newly-sown  seed. 

The  amount  of  damage  to  corn  during  spring  and  early  summer  is  certainly  very 
great  in  some  sections,  and  undoubtedly  it  would  be  much  greater  but  for  the  al- 
most universal  custom  of  protecting  the  fields  in  one  way  or  another.  Of  course,  it 
is  absurd  to  say  how  great  the  loss  would  be  in  case  all  precautions  were  neglected, 
and  even  in  the  case  of  actual  damage  it  is  impossible  to  estimate  fairly  the  amount 
of  the  loss.  Among  nearly  two  hundred  and  fifty  reports  of  more  or  less  serious  in- 
jury, less  than  one-fifth  contain  any  figures  from  which  the  actual  loss  can  be  inferred 
even  approximately,  while  hardly  a  dozen  state  definitely  the  acreage  planted  and 
the  proportion  destroyed  or  damaged. 

The  following  examples  of  the  evidence  on  this  question  will  give  a  fair  idea  of 
the  harm  occasionally  done.  It  will  be  noticed  that  they  represent  widely  separ- 
ated sections  of  the  country  : 

Osceola,  Ark. — One  flock  ruined  a  field  of  several  acres. 

Coventry,  Conn.— In  one  field  of  three  acres  about  half  was  destroyed  ;  other  fields  badly  dam- 
aged, probably  one-third  pulled  up. 

Osceola,  111.— Destroyed  about  two  acres  for  me  last  year  (1885)  just  as  it  was  coming-  through 
the  ground. 

*  Dr.  r.   II.  M<'iTi:un,  Ornithologist.   I".  S.   Department  of  Agriculture.  Washington.   D.  C. 


APPENDIX.  369 


Plymouth,  Jfe.— Has  been  observed  to  destroy  whole  fields  of  from  one  to  three  acres. 

Rochdale,  Mass.— Crows  this  year  (1885)  pulled  one-third  or  more  of  the  corn  in  my  field  in  spite 
of  cotton  lines  stretched  quite  thickly  over  the  fields. 

Nebraska,  Intl.— Have  known  the  injury  to  amount  to  one-third  of  the  crop. 

Burlington,  /mm.— Have  known  one-third  of  a  five  acre  field  to  require  replanting. 

Sand  Hill,  Mich.— Often  destroys  over  half  the  crop  when  planted  near  a  patch  of  woods. 
Fields  sometimes  are  nearly  destroyed. 

Bolton,  Mo.— One-third  of  a  field  of  three  acres  was  taken. 

Afadison,  Nebr.— The  damage  along  the  woodlands  of  the  Elkhorn  is  ten  per  cent,  of  the  planting. 

Caldwell,  N.  J.— Damage  often  from  one-tenth  to  one-third  of  the  field. 

Alfred  Centre,  N.  Y.— Sometimes  they  make  a  second  planting  necessary ;  in  one'case  a  field  of 
three  acres  was  almost  entirely  pulled  up. 

Ithaca,  N.  Y.— In  spite  of  all  our  efforts  they  almost  destroyed  the  crop  in  a  large  part  of  one 
field. 

Locust  Grove,  N~.  F.— In  1884  a  large  field  was  ruined  by  crows  in  spite  of  all  precautions.  It 
was  "strung"  at  more  frequent  intervals  than  usual,  a  number  of  dead  crows  were  displayed  at 
various  points,  and  it  was  replanted  twice,  but  all  to  no  avail,  for  almost  the  entire  field  was  lost. 

Penza,  Ohio.— Once  saw  a  field  on  the  4th  of  July  which  had  been  destroyed  four  times  by  crows, 
and  they  were  still  working  on  it. 

Gap.  Pa.— Think  they  sometimes  destroy  five  per  cent,  of  the  crop. 

Frogmore,  S.  C.— The  damage  sometimes  amounts  to  over  50  per  cent.,  but  this  is  only  in  fields 
near  woodland. 

Brandon,  Ft.— One-half  to  three-fourths  of  an  acre  was  pulled  from  a  three-acre  field. 

West  Pawlet,  VL— In  1883  and  1884  I  knew  the  crows  to  pull  the  corn  so  completely  in  fields  of 
ten  or  twelve  acres  that  all  the  ground  had  to  be  planted  over. 

Omro,  Wis. — One  piece  of  four  acres  was  about  two-thirds  destroyed. 

The  ten  following  samples  may  be  taken  as  showing  more  nearly  than  the  pre- 
ceding the  average  character  of  the  reports  noting  damage  to  young  corn  : 

Smelley,  Ala.— Much  damage  some  years,  others  none  at  all. 

Brookfield  Centre,  Conn.— A  small  piece  in  a  secluded  spot  was  almost  entirely  destroyed. 

Vermillion,  Dak.—In  some  fields  on  the  Missouri  bottoms  crows  often  have  destroyed  two  or 
three  successive  seedmgs  of  corn,  but  only  in  fields  near  timber. 

Marietta,  Ga.— The  damage  is  sometimes  excessive,  depending  largely  on  location  of  field. 

Louisville,  Ky.—The  damage  has  been  greatly  exaggerated.  Formerly  it  was  sometimes  great, 
but  it  is  many  years  since  crows  have  done  any  harm  in  my  neighborhood  by  pulling  up  corn. 
They  find  other  food  in  abundance  and  have  forgotten  their  old  habits. 

Sow'Ji  Frankfort,  Mich.— Injurious  only  in  exceptional  cases,  and  to  a  limited  extent. 

Minneapolis,  Minn. — The  extent  of  the  injury  is  measured  only  by  the  opportunity. 

Watkins,  N.  F.— Farmers  complain  of  their  pulling  corn  in  the  spring  as  soon  as  it  appears 
above  ground ;  and  corn  is  injured  in  this  way  sometimes  so  that  it  harvests  one-eighth  to  one- 
fourth  less  than  if  it  had  not  been  touched.  But  not  one  farmer  in  twenty  is  injured  as  much  as 
stated. 

Mount  Vernon,  Ohio.— Have  known  them  to  be  quite  troublesome  in  pulling  corn  when  it  is 
two  or  three  inches  high,  *  *  *  but  their  attacks  appear  to  be  only  periodical,  perhaps  many 
years  apart. 

Berwick,  Pa.— The  damage  is  sufficient,  sometimes,  to  compel  the  farmer  to  replant,  yet  the 
amount  of  injury  done  is  not  often  of  much  account.  There  are  exceptional  cases  when  fields 
planted  near  their  resorts  have  suffered  considerably. 

A  careful  examination  of  all  the  available  evidence  bearing  on  this  question  brings 
out  one  or  two  points  which  are  doubtless  familiar  to  many  farmers,  but  may  be  new 
to  some.  Other  things  being  equal,  the  greatest  damage  is  done  where  crows  are 
most  abundant ;  and  fields  nearest  their  nests  are  much  more  likely  to  be  plundered 
than  those  at  a  distance  from  woods.  Neverthless,  in  the  latter  case,  if  the  fields  are 
also  at  a  distance  from  the  farm-house  and  are  not  specially  protected,  they  may  suf- 
formore  than  other  fields  which,  although  near  the  woods,  are  so  situated  as  to  be 
<i:isily  watched  from  the  house.  It  is  of  the  utmost  importence,  moreover,  that  the 
crows  be  prevented  from  beginnintj  to  take  corn  from  a  field ;  for  after  visiting  it 
once  they  are  far  more  likely  to  come  again,  and  there  is  abundant  evidence  that 
after  a  crow  has  once  formed  the  habit  of  corn-pulling  it  is  almost  impossible  to  pre- 
vent his  gratifying  his  taste  as  long  as  he  lives.  This  question  will  be  fully  treated 
under  jibe  head  of  insect  food  of  the  crow,  and  it  need  only  be  remarked  here  that, 
while  crows  undoubtedly  eat  many  cut-worms  and  other  insects,  there  is  very  little 
24  BlBDS. 


370  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

evidence  that  they  pull  young  corn  for  any  other  purpose  than  to  get  the  kernel  at 
the  root. 

The  depredations  of  the  common  crow  do  not  cease,  except  temporarily,  when  the 
young  plants  are  too  well  rooted  to  be  pulled  with  ease.  After  the  ears  are  formed 
and  the  kernels  well  filled  out  the  crow  again  visits  the  corn-fields,  and  sometimes 
does  serious  damage.  At  that  time  the  young  are  as  large  as  their  parents,  several 
families  are  commonly  associated  in  a  flock,  and  such  a  party  is  capable  of  a  large 
amount  of  mischief  in  a  comparatively  short  time.  About  fifty  complaints  of  injury 
to  "green  corn,"  "corn  in  the  milk,"  "  roasting  ears,"  and  "ripening  corn,"  have 
been  received. 

INJURY  TO  OTHER  CEREALS  THAN  CORN. 

Although  the  crow  attacks  and  injures  other  grains  than  corn  its  depredations  on 
these  crops  are  far  less  general  and  serious.  About  fifty  reports  of  such  injury  have 
been  received,  the  losses  complained  of  relating  to  wheat,  rye,  oats,  barley,  and  rice. 
As  with  corn,  the  greatest  damage  is  done  by  pulling  up  the  sprouting  grain,  but 
more  or  less  is  eaten  while  ripening,  or  even  when  hard. 

DAMAGE  TO  OTHER  CROPS. 

About  a  dozen  reports,  nearly  all  from  New  England  and  Canada,  mention  the 
crow  as  destructive  to  potatoes,  the  worst  mischief  being  done  by  pulling  up  the 
young  plants  in  order  to  get  the  partly  decayed  pieces  plan  ted  as  "  seed."  Occasion- 
ally sweet  potatoes  and  beans  are  pulled  up  in  the  same  way,  and  in  rome  of  the 
southern  states  the  crow  digs  up  peanuts,  both  as  seed  and  when  ripening,  some- 
times causing  considerable  loss.  The  following  notes  from  correspondents  illustrate 
this  class  of  injuries  : 

From  S.  F.  Cheney,  Grand  Manan,  New  Brunswick  : 

The  crow  will  take  the  potato  seed  out  of  the  hill  and  pull  up  the  potatoes  when  nearly  ready 
to  hoe. 

From  Manly  Hardy,  Brewer,  Me. : 

I  have  known  newly  planted  potatoes  to  be  destroyed  by^the  acre.  Have  only  known  crows 
to  attack  potatoes  within  a  few  years  (1885.) 

From  Charles  F.  Goodhue,  Webster,  N.  H. : 

Crows  are  very  troublesome  some  years  by  pulling  corn  and  digging  up  newly  planted  pota- 
toes, destroying  both  just  as  they  appear  above  ground.  The  damage  done  to  corn  and  potatoes 
varies  from  a  few  hills  to  nearly  two  acres.  Sometimes  nearly  the  whole  crop  is  destroyed. 

From  Walter  Hoxie,  Frogmore,  S.  C. : 

The  crow  destroys  seed  corn  and  rice  invariably,  unless  tarred.  It  is  yet  more  destructive  to 
peanuts  and  sweet  potatoes. 

From  John  M.  Richardson,  Daingerfield,  Tex.: 

I  have  known  the  crow,  assembling  in  immense  flocks,  to  do  great  harm  to  the  pindar  (peanut) 
crop  in  South  Carolina.  As  the  nuts  approach  maturity  the  fields  had  to  be  guarded  by  men  and 
boys  with  guns  from  early  dawn  to  late  dusk. 

In  some  parts  of  the  country  the  crow  seems  to  have  acquired  a  taste  for  water- 
melons, doing  no  little  damage  to  this  important  crop.  Mr.  H.  E.  VanDeman  states 
that  at  one  time,  on  his  farm  at  Genoa,  Kans.,  he  was  obliged  to  cover  some  of 
his  watermelons  with  grass,  weeds,  etc.,  in  order  to  protect  them  from  a  family 
of  crows  which  otherwise  would  have  ruined  them  all.  They  began  to  "plug" 
the  melons  as  soon  as  they  were  nearly  ripe,  going  from  one  to  another  until 
they  found  one  which  suited  them,  spoiling  many  wnich  they  did  not  eat.  Re- 
ports of  similar  damage  have  been  received  from  Georgia  and  South  Carolina, 
one  planter  complaining  that  his  melons  are  attacked  before  they  are  half  grown, 
and  another  estimating  his  loss  from  the  same  cause  at  10  per  cent,  of  the  crop. 

Occasionally  crows  do  much  damage  to  ripening  fruit,  but  they  generally  find  an 
abundant  supply  of  wild  fruits,  and  do  not  care  to  run  the  risk  of  a  near  approach 
to  the  garden  unless  the  display  is  particularly  tempting. 

From  the  fact  that  crows  feed  largely  on  wild  grapes,  it  seems  a  little  strange  that 


Plate  91. 


1.  Crested  Flycatcher.       2.  Phcebe. 

3.  Wood  Pewee.  4.  Acadian  Flycatcher. 

Males. 


APPENDIX. 


371 


they  do  not  visit  the  vineyard  more  frequently,  but  as  yet  very  few  complaints  on 
this  score  have  been  received.  One  vineyard  of  several  acres  being  just  outside  the 
limits  of  the  city  of  Washington,  D.  C.,  has  suffered  considerable  loss  for  several 
years  from  the  frequent  attacks  of  crows.  One  of  the  assistant  ornithologists  vis- 
ited it  in  September,  1886,  and  again  in  the  same  month  in  1888,  and  found  abundant 
evidence  that  the  owner  did  not  exaggerate  when  he  stated  his  loss  to  be  at  least  one- 
fourth  of  the  crop.  Not  only  were  crows  frequently  seen  eating  the  grapes,  but  two 
which  were  shot  during  the  first  visit  had  grape  seeds  in  their  stomachs. 

OTHER  VEGETABLE  FOOD  OF  THE  CROW. 

In  addition  to  the  fruits  and  vegetables  already  mentioned  as  forming  a  part  of 
the  crow's  food,  there  are  very  many  wild  fruits,  berries,  seeds  and  nuts,  on  which 
the  crow  feeds  largely  at  times,  but  the  consumption  of  which  is  of  little  account 
to  the  farmer  under  any  circumstances. 

The  vegetable  matter  contained  in  the  eighty-six  stomachs  examined  was  as  fol- 
lows : 


VEGETABLE  CONTEXTS  OF  STOMACHS. 

No.  of 
stomachs 
in  which 
found. 

VEGETABLE  CONTENTS  OP  STOMACHS. 

No.  of 
stomachs 
in  which 
found. 

Kernels  of  corn,  

35 

Seeds  of  beach  plum  

2 

oats  

3 

Virginia  creeper  (Ampelopsia), 

2 

wheat,  

2 

dogwood  (Corn  us), 

4 

Remains  of  acorns  or  chestnuts,    .   .   . 
cherries,    cultivated  varie 
ties  

26 

8 

bay  berry  (Myrica)  
common    (harmless)    sumachs 
(Rhus),     

8 

17 

wild  cherries, 

3 

berries  not  identified,    .  . 

4 

(Rhus)  

10 

haw  berries  (Cratwgus)    . 
Fruit  pulp,  not  identified  
Seeds  of  grape  

I 
4 

7 

juniper  or  red  cedar  
bind-  weed  (Polygonum),       .  . 
wild  rice  (Zizania)  

1 
1 

blackberries  or  raspberries. 

5 

Unidentified  seeds, 

10 

pumpkin  

2 

Sea-weed  

4 

cucumber  or  musk-melon, 

1 

Moss  

1 

The  crow  is  known  also  to  eat  the  berries  of  the  wintergreen,  poke-weed,  elder, 
smilax  and  hackberry ;  and  doubtless  it  also  feeds  upon  numerous  other  berries  and 
seeds. 

During  autumn,  and  especially  in  the  districts  where  grain  is  not  readily  obtaina- 
ble, a  favorite  food  of  the  crow  is  acorns,  beech-nuts,  or  chestnuts,  immense  quanti- 
ties of  which  are  consumed.  It  may  be  mentioned  incidentally,  also,  that  in  parts 
of  Louisiana  and  Texas,  and  probably  in  other  states,  the  crow  injures  the  pecan 
crop  to  a  considerable  extent. 

THE  DISTRIBUTION  OF  Noxious  SEEDS. 

An  interesting  fact,  which  has  come  to  light  recently  through  the  examination  of 
crow  stomachs,  is  the  discovery  that  the  berries  of  poison  sumach  (Rhus  venenata) 
and  poison  ivy  (Rhus  toxicodendron)  are  eaten  in  large  numbers,  by  the  crow. 

The  poison  ivy  (also  called  poison  vine,  poison  oak,  mercury,  or  mercury  vine, 
etc.)  is  too  well  known  to  need  any  description.  The  poison  sumach  (also  called 
swamp  sumach,  poison  elder,  poison  dogwood,  etc.)  is  a  shrub  or  small  tree,  con- 
fined mainly  to  swamps  and  wet  places,  and  less  generally  known  than  the  ivy, 
though  its  poison  is  much  more  powerful.  Both  species  bear  straggling  bunches  of 
greenish-white  waxy  berries,  which  cling  tightly  to  the  stems  through  the  entire 
winter  and  thus  are  readily  obtained  by  crows  even  when  the  ground  is  deeply  cov- 
ered with  snow.  Each  berry  contains  a  single  large  seed  or  stone  surrounded  by  a 
small  amount  of  wax-like  pulp  which  appears  to  contain  considerable  nutritious 
matter. 

Stomachs  of  crows  taken  in  every  month  from  September  to  March,  and  in  differ- 
ent localities  from  Massachusetts  to  Florida,  were  found  to  con  tain  these  seeds,  some- 


372  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


times  in  large  numbers.  In  one  case  one  hundred  and  fifty-three  seeds  of  poison 
ivy  were  found  in  a  single  stomach  ;  in  several  cases  the  number  was  more  than  one 
hundred,  and  the"  average  in  nineteen  stomachs  exceeded  fifty. 

At  a  large  crow-roost  on  the  Virginia  side  of  the  Potomac,  near  Washington,  the 
droppings  of  the  crows  are  literally  full  of  these  seeds,  usually  accompanied  by 
many  seeds  of  the  harmless  (red-berried)  sumachs,  arid  a  still  smaller  number  of 
those  of  the  flowering  dogwood  (Cornus  florida)  and  the  sour  gum  (Nyssa).  The 
same  is  true  of  the  large  roost  near  Baltimore,  Md.,  whence  Mr.'  C.  L.  Edwards,  of 
the  Johns  Hopkins  University,  sent  to  the  department  seeds  of  all  the  above  species 
more  than  a  year  ago.  The  seeds  of  poison  ivy  and  poison  sumach  had  been  found 
previously  in  crow  stomachs  collected  near  Washington,  but  for  lack  of  a  good  ref- 
erence collection  of  seeds  they  remained  unrecognized  until  December,  1888,  when 
they  were  identified  by  the  writer. 

In  order  to  give  some  idea  of  the  number  of  these  seeds  consumed  by  the  crow  it 
may  be  stated  that  a  single  pound  of  the  dried  excrement  taken  from  the  roost  in 
the  National  Cemetery  at  Arlington,  February  8,  1889,  contained,  by  actual  count, 
1,041  seeds  of  poison  ivy,  and  341  seeds  of  poison  sumach,  in  addition  to  3,271  seeds 
of  other  sumachs,  95  seeds  of  Virginia  juniper,  10  seeds  of  flowering  dogwood,  and 
6  seeds  of  sour  gum.  The  material,  which  covered  about  four  square  feet,  was  taken 
at  random  from  above  the  layer  of  leaves,  and  represents  the  average  deposit  on  the 
roost.  As  the  roost  covers  upward  of  fifteen  acres,  some  idea  may  be  formed  of  the 
number  of  those  seeds  deposited  there. 

It  is  a  well-known  fact  that  the  germination  of  many  kinds  of  seeds  is  hastened 
by  their  passage  through  the  digestive  organs  of  birds  and  other  animals,  and  hence 
it  was  believed  at  once  that  the  crow  was  aiding  in  the  distribution  of  these  poison- 
ous plants.  In  order  to  place  the  matter  beyond  question,  however,  seeds  taken 
from  the  Arlington  roost  were  tested  in  several  ways,  and  not  only  was  their  vitality 
found  to  be  unimpaired,  but  they  were  found  to  germinate  more  quickly  than  seeds 
taken  from  the  vine.  Of  one  hundred  seeds  of  Rhus  venenata  from  the  roost,  moist- 
ened and  kept  warm,  ten  sprouted  within  forty-eight  hours,  and  twenty  more  within 
the  next  five  days.  One  hundred  and  fifty  seeds  of  the  same  kind  and  from  the 
same  source  were  planted  in  a  flower  pot  in  the  greenhouse,  and  at  the  end  of  four- 
teen days  one  hundred  and  thirty  of  them  had  become  vigorous  seedlings  from  one 
to  two  inches  high,  and  several  more  were  breaking  the  ground.  Similar  results 
were  obtained  with  seeds  of  Rhus  toxicodendron  from  the  roost,  while  seeds  takon 
from  the  vine  had  not  sprouted  at  the  end  of  fourteen  days.  Thus  it  becomes  certain 
that  these  seeds  are  improved  rather  than  impaired  by  their  passage  through  the 
digestive  organs  of  the  crow,  and  this  bird  therefore  is  doing  incalculable  harm  by 
sowing  broadcast  the  seeds  of  a  poisonous  vine  and  a  more  poisonous  shrub,  both  of 
which  unfortunately  are  far  too  abundant  already. 

THE  GROW  AS  A  DESTROYER  OF  THE  EGGS  AND  YOUNG  OP  POULTRY  AND  WILD 

BIRDS. 

More  than  three  hundred  and  fifty  of  our  correspondents  have  contributed  notes 
relating  to  the  crow  as  a  robber  of  the  nests  of  domesticated  fowls  and  wild  birds. 
About  seventy  of  these  state  simply  that  "no  damage  of  this  kind  has  been  ob- 
served," but  with  this  exception  the  evidence  is  almost  wholly  unfavorable  to  the 
crow.  Two  hundred  and  seventy-eight  observers  state  distinctly  that  they  know  of 
more  or  less  mischief  of  this  kind  committed  by  crows.  One  hundred  and  forty- 
seven  have  personal  knowledge  of  its  carrying  off  young  chickens,  and  one  hun- 
dred and  seventy -four  report  damage  to  domesticated  fowls.  There  are  twenty-five 
complaints  of  injury  to  the  eggs  and  young  of  turkeys,  and  about  a  dozen  instances 
of  similar  damage  to  ducks  and  geese. 

Rather  more  than  ten  per  cent,  of  the  reports  on  domesticated  fowls  state  that  the 
damage  is  slight  or  occasional,  but  on  the  other  hand  upward  of  fifty  observers  re- 
port frequent  and  serious  depredations,  many  of  them  stating  that  the  crows  do 
much  more  damage  than  hawks.  It  is  significant  that  out  of  more  than  three  hun- 


APPENDIX.  373 


dred  and  fifty  replies  to  the  question  covering  the  subject  of  damage  to  domesticated 
fowls  and  wild  birds  only  five  are  positively  favorable  to  the  crow.  Seventy  others 
are  negatively  favorable  in  that  they  report  no  injury  observed,  without,  however, 
giving  any  indication  of  the  extent  of  the  opportunities  for  observation.  The  reports 
of  damage  come  from  all  parts  of  the  United  States  and  Canada  where  crows  are 
found,  and  as  a  rule  the  notes  are  clear  and  exact 

As  one  result  of  all  the  information  thus  far  collected  it  may  be  stated  that  the 
common  crow  is  a  serious  enemy  of  poultry,  all  the  more  dangerous  because  so  often 
unsuspected,  and  because  of  its  remarkable  cunning  and  stealth.  It  is  also  a  skilful 
and  inveterate  robber  of  the  nests  and  eggs  of  wild  birds. 

The  entire  evidence  submitted  on  this  subject  is  well  worth  reading,  but  lack  of 
space  forbids  the  insertion  of  more  than  a  few  examples  under  each  of  two  heads. 

DESTRUCTION  OF  THE  EGGS  AND  YOUNG  OF  POULTRY. 

More  than  one-third  of  all  the  reports  relating  to  damage  to  poultry  specify  fre- 
quent or  serious  loss.  It  appears  from  these  notes  that  not  only  does  the  crow  rob 
the  hens,  ducks,  and  turkeys  which  steal  their  nests  in  the  brush,  woods,  or  mead- 
ows, away  from  the  farm-yard,  but  it  frequently  comes  within  a  few  steps  of  the 
house  or  barn,  destroying  all  nests  not  absolutely  inaccessible  to  it  or  snatching  up 
the  downy  young  about  the  very  doors.  Usually  such  visits  are  made  very  early  in 
the  morning,  or  at  times  when  no  one  is  at  hand  to  prevent  the  theft,  but  frequently 
the  robber  becomes  emboldened  by  success  and  makes  his  visits  in  the  middle  of 
the  day  and  with  apparent  disregard  of  all  danger.  Moreover,  as  in  the  case  of  some 
hawks  and  dogs,  certain  individuals  become  particularly  addicted  to  chicken  steal- 
ing, and  return  day,  after  day  to  the  same  place,  seldom  failing  to  secure  a  victim  at 
each  visit 

The  following  notes  from  different  parts  of  the  country  will  serve  to  illustrate  the 
crow's  methods  in  relation  to  eggs  and  chickens  : 

From  Owen  Durfee,  Fall  River,  Mass.: 

May  5  [18881,  while  walking  by  a  farm-house  near  the  city,  I  saw  a  crow  sail  over  the  house 
and  finally  settle  down  on  a  stonewall  about  one  hundred  feet  from  the  house,  and  begin  watch- 
ing the  young  chickens  running  about  in  the  lot  and  through  the  wall  under  him.  One  of  the 
chickens  ran  under  him,  and  after  eyeing  it  a  moment,  he  turned  to  the  next  one,  which  was 
perhaps  a  week  or  ten  days  old.  When  this  one  was  about  six  feet  from  him,  he  dropped  down 
over  it  and  struck  at  it  two  or  three  times  with  his  beak.  Then  he  acted  as  though  about  to  eat 
it  on  the  spot,  but  a  young  rooster  running  at  him,  he  picked  up  the  chicken  and  carried  it  off 
still  squeaking  in  his  beak. 

From  William  H.  Lewis,  Pawtucket,  R.  I. : 

1  have  known  the  common  crow  to  take  chicks  when  they  were  from  one  to  six  weeks  old.  I 
know  of  a  case  where  twenty  have  been  lost  this  season. 

From  H.  Neherling,  Freistatt,  Mo*. : 

I  have  frequently  observed  crows  stealing  the  eggs  from  my  poultry-yard.  They  do  this  very 
slyly  and  quietly.  As  soon  as  the  eggs  are  hatched  they  carry  off  young  chickens  whenever  they 
can  get  them.  With  the  exception  of  Cooper's  Hawk  I  do  not  know  such  a  bold  robber  as  the 
crow.  One  day  in  April  one  of  these  birds  perched  on  the  fence,  only  a  few  steps  from  my  house. 
An  old  hen  with  about  a  dozen  chickens  which  were  only  a  few  days  old  was  in  my  barn-yard. 
Suddenly  the  crow  swooped  down,  caught  a  chicken  with  its  bill,  and  went  off,  flying  away  near 
the  ground.  In  a  few  weeks  the  crows  carried  off  about  twenty  chickens,  which  varied  in  age 
from  one  day  to  four  weeks. 

From  H.  R.  Landis,  Landis  Valley,  Pa.: 

When  the  young  are  hatched  the  crows  are  very  bold,  coming  up  to  buildings,  and  in  one  case 
that  come  under  my  notice  they  took  from  one  to  four  chickens  each  morning,  nearly  annihilat. 
ing  a  brood  of  about  one  hundred. 

From  J.  W.  Van  Kirk,  Milton,  Pa.  : 

I  have  seen  crows  catch  young  chickens,  and  frequently  have  seen  them  carrying  off  eggs  of 
both  the  domestic  fowl  and  wild  birds.  We  have  had  on  different  occasions  whole  nests  of  sit- 
ting turkeys  and  chickens  robbed  by  them.  In  some  cases  the  eggs  were  taken  from  under  the 
hens  while  on  their  nests. 


374  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


From  ,T.  V.  Henry  Kiiott,  Kingston,  N.  Y. : 

I  have  seen  the  common  crow  eat  eggs,  and  have  caught  him  by  baiting  a  steel-trap  with  an 
egg.  The  man  in  charge  of  the  gas-works  at  Saugerties  told  me  this  spring  that  he  had  to  cover 
his  chicken-yard  with  wire  to  save  the  chickens  from  the  crows,  and  that  he  saw  them  catch  the 
chickens  repeatedly. 

From  Frank  B.  Hancock,  Casky,  Ky. : 

The  common  crow  undoubtedly  catches  young  chickens  and  steals  eggs.  They  have  caused 
me  more  trouble  in  that  respect  than  hawks.  My  home  is  situated  on  the  south  side  of  a  wood- 
land. A  colony  of  crows  located  in  that  woodland  in  1870.  This  spring  (1885)  I  have  watched  them 
carefully,  and  have  seen  them  steal  chickens  before  they  were  past  the  downy  stage  and  carry 
them  away  to  their  young.  I  have  one  crow  family  charged  with  $25  worth  of  nice  chicks  stolen 
in  April  and  May,  1885. 

DESTRUCTION  OF  EGGS  AND  YOUNG  OF  WILD  BIRDS. 

No  observant  person  will  deny  that  the  crow  does  serious  damage  to  the  eggs  and 
young  of  wild  birds.  The  instances  of  such  depredation  which  have  come  within 
the  knowledge  of  most  farmers  or  other  persons  living  in  the  country  are  far  too 
numerous  to  leave  a  shadow  of  doubt  on  this  score  in  any  unprejudiced  mind. 

Yet  for  every  instance  of  such  robbery  witnessed  by  man  thousands  must  take 
place  without  his  knowledge.  Persecution  by  crows  is  doubtless  a  very  large  factor 
among  the  influences  which  cause  so  many  birds  to  crowd  about  human  habitations 
during  the  nesting  season,  and  yet  the  relentless  crow  follows  them  even  to  the 
eaves  and  window-sills  of  houses,  taking  their  eggs  and  young  in  spite  of  every  pre- 
caution. 

The  evidence  on  this  point,  contributed  by  our  observers  during  the  past  few 
years,  is  replete  with  accounts  of  such  forays,  and  the  only  wonder  is  that  robins, 
thrushes,  blackbirds,  and  many  other  species  continue  to  rear  any  young  at  all.  The 
reports  on  this  subject  number  one  hundred  and  fifty  or  more,  and  contain  minute 
descriptions  of  the  destruction  by  crows  of  the  eggs  or  young  of  more  than  twenty- 
five  species  of  wild  birds.  The  list  includes  the  robin,  wood  thrush  and  other 
thrushes,  brown  thrasher,  wrens,  English  sparrows  and  other  sparrows,  blackbirds 
of  several  species,  Baltimore  and  Bullock's  orioles,  woodpeckers,  swallows,  king- 
birds, wax-wing,  warblers,  bluejay,  Carolina  dove,  quail,  prairie  chicken,  woodcock, 
night  herons  and  other  waders,  wild  ducks,  and  sea-gulls.  In  addition  to  these 
specific  statements,  very  many  observers  state  that  all  kinds  of  small  birds  suffer 
from  crows,  while  others  say  that  it  kills  "many  kinds"  or  "all  kinds  which  can 
be  obtained." 

Naturally  the  robin  is  one  of  the  most  frequent  sufferers,  and  perhaps  its  losses 
are  more  likely  to  be  noticed  than  those  of  less  familiar  birds.  The  following  re- 
ports indicate  something  of  the  nature  and  extent  of  the  inroads  upon  this  species  : 

From  Prof.  F.  E.  L.  Beal,  Lunenburgh,  Mass.: 

I  have  known  the  crow  to  rob  the  nest  of  a  robin  of  its  eggs  on  se\  eral  occasions,  always  at  the 
first  peep  of  light.  In  one  instance  the  nest  robbed  was  within  six  feet  of  the  open  window  of  a 
chamber  where  I  slept. 

From  Charles  F.  Goodhue,  Webster,  N.  H. : 

The  crow  has  been  known  to  rob  every  robin's  nest  in  a  good-sized  apple  orchard,  and  to  come 
within  eight  rods  of  the  house  and  carry  off  four  young  robins  in  the  course  of  one  day. 

From  J.  W.  Van  Kirk,  Milton,  Pa. : 

Last  spring  (1886)  out  of  ten  robin's  nests  around  our  building,  nine  were  robbed  of  eggs  by  the 
crow.  One  of  the  nests  was  not  over  twenty  yards  from  the  house.  The  robin  lays  from  three  to 
five  eggs,  and  you  can  safely  say  that  at  least  forty  robins  were  thus  destroyed  inside  of  eight 
acres  of  ground. 

From  Dr.  A.  K.  Fisher,  Sing  Sing,  N.  Y.: 

A  great  number  of  nests  of  the  robin,  wood  thrush,  and,  in  fact,  many  other  birds  are  robbed 
of  their  eggs,  and  I  have  often  observed  crows  flying  away  with  young  birds  in  their  bills,  fol- 
lowed by  the  outraged  parents. 

In  examining  the  contents  of  crow's  stomachs  in  spring,  I  have  detected  the  presence  of  birds' 
eggs  in  a  number  of  cases. 


Plate  9?-. 


^  2.  Evening  Grosbeak,   Male  and  Female. 

3.  Brown  Creeper.  4.  Black  and  White  Warbler,  Males. 


APPENDIX.  375 


From  C.  S.  Paine,  East  Bethel,  Vt. : 

Crows  come  into  our  shade  trees  early  in  the  morning  and  take  the  eggs  and  young  of  the 
oriole  and  robin  ;  I  think  that  over  half  of  the  nests  of  our  small  birds  are  destroyed  by  them. 

From  D.  Y.  Overton,  Burlington.  Iowa : 

The  common  crow,  especially  at  the  east,  is  an  inveterate  robber  of  birds'  nests,  and  also  de- 
stroys their  young.  I  have  seen  him  at  the  nests  of  the  robin  with  the  eggs  in  his  mouth ;  and 
have  seen  him  with  young  bluejaysjn  his  beak  as  he  took  them  from  the  nest. 

From  Charles  A.  Davis,  Burlington,  Vt. : 

I  have  seen  crows  catch  and  carry  to  their  nests  eight  or  ten  young  bank  swallows  which  were 
feathered  out. 

From  Samuel  N.  Rhoades,  Haddonfield,  N.  J. : 

The  crow  steals  eggs  and  young  birds  from  the  purple  grackle,  red-winged  blackbird,  robin, 
kingbird,  Carolina  dove,  quail,  and  woodcock.  It  also  destroys  the  eggs  of  several  species  of 
herons. 

Prof.  D.  E.  Lantz,  of  Manhattan,  Kansas,  writes : 

I  have  not  known  the  crow  to  trouble  the  poultry-yard  in  Kansas,  but  it  is  a  noted  robber  of 
the  eggs  of  quail  and  pinnated  grouse. 

Dr.  A.  B.  MacCrea,  of  Berwick,  Pa.,  writes: 

A  friend  was  mowing  in  the  meadow  this  summer  (1885)  and  uncovered  a  quail's  nest  contain- 
ing some  twenty  eggs.  He  concluded  to  place  them  under  a  hen  and  went  to  the  barn  for  a 
basket ;  when  he  returned  a  crow  was  finishing  his  dinner  on  the  last  egg. 

In  all  the  dark  history  of  the  crow's  relations  to  other  birds  there  is  nothing  which 
can  be  fairly  called  a  bright  spot,  and  only  here  and  there  a  record  is  found  which 
serves  to  render  the  page  a  little  less  gloomy.  One  of  these  grains  of  comfort  is 
found  in  the  fact  that  in  its'  wholesale  attacks  on  other  birds  a  few  species  suffer 
which  are  scarcely  better  than  itself.  The  bluejay  and  the  purple  grackle  are  known 
to  destroy  the  eggs  and  young  of  smaller  birds,  and  their  own  nests  are  frequently 
pillaged  by  the  more  powerful  crow.  Under  favorable  circumstances  crows  are 
known  to  destroy  the  eggs  and  young  of  the  English  sparrow,  and  they  have  done 
good  service  in  this  way  about  the  Smithsonian  Institution,  in  Washington,  D.  C., 
where  it  is  no  uncommon  sight  during  the  summer  to  see  a  crow  (most  often  per- 
haps the  Fish  Crow)  feeding  on  the  young  of  these  birds. 

INSECT  FOOD  OF  THE  CROW. 

In  attempting  to  study  the  insect  food  of  the  crow,  two  different  questions  present 
themselves  at  the  outset.  These  are:  (a)  How  many  insects  does  the  crow  eat? 
and  (6)  What  kinds  of  insects  does  it  eat?  The  first  question  was  answered  in  a 
general  way  more  than  half  a  century  ago,  and  there  is  no  reason  now  to  deny  the 
oft-repeated  statement  that  the  crow  feeds  largely  on  insects.  The  second  question, 
however,  is  not  only  much  more  important,  but  much  less  easily  answered  ;  for  not 
all  insects  are  injurious,  and  comparatively  few  persons  can  discriminate  between 
the  useful  and  harmful,  especially  when  watching  them  from  a  distance  or  examin- 
ing those  which  have  been  crushed  and  swallowed  by  a  bird. 

While, therefore,  the  field-notes  of  casual  observers  may  help  materially  to  answer 
the  question  as  to  the  extent  to  which  the  crow  feeds  on  insects  in  general,  they  can 
seldom  be  relied  upon  for  an  accurate  knowledge  of  the  insect  species  destroyed.  As 
already  stated,  this  latter  question  must  be  answered  mainly  by  the  critical  study  of 
the  stomach-contents  of  large  numbers  of  crows.  Nevertheless,  the  accumulated 
observations  of  years  as  to  the  crow's  manner  of  feeding,  together  with  notes  on 
places  most  visited  at  certain  times,  and  the  insects  most  abundant  in  those  places 
at  such  times,  must  not  be  disregarded,  many  such  observations  being  of  the  great- 
est practical  value. 

In  the  course  of  the  present  investigation  on  the  crow,  hundreds  of  notes  on  its 
insect-eating  habits  have  been  received  from  correspondents,  and  in  many  cases  the 
observations  are  of  greatest  interest  and  value.  Not  a  few  of  these  notes  relate  to 
observations  made  under  peculiarly  favorable  circumstances,  and  though  we  cannot 
feel  perfectly  sure  of  the  correct  identification,  for  example,  of  the  Hessian  fly  and 
army-worm,  we  see  no  reason  to  doubt  the  statements  of  any  farmer  as  to  grasshop- 


376 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


pers  and  potato  beetles,  or  even  cut-worms  and  "  white  grubs."  It  is  true  they  may 
not  know  the  scientific  names  of  the  particular  species  of  grasshoppers  or  grub  noted, 
but  the  observation,  though  less  valuable  on  this  account,  is  still  of  definite  worth. 
A  lew  observers  have  examined  stomachs  of  crows  occasionally,  and  their  testimony 
in  regard  to  the  insects  found  therein  therefore  possess  unusual  value,  but  the 
larger  number  by  far  base  their  statements  entirely  on  field  observations. 

A  few  farmers  contend  that  the  crow  rarely  or  never  eats  insects  of  any  kind, 
while  others  simply  state  that  they  have  never  seen  it  do  so,  and  express  a  favorable 
or  unfavorable  opinion  as  to  the  probability  of  such  a  habit.  These,  however,  are 
individual  exceptions,  the  great  majority  of  observers  stating  emphatically  that  the 
crow  does  eat  insects,  and  that  he  eats  many;  in  fact,  the  unanimity  of  opinion 
on  this  point  is  rather  surprising,  and  much  of  the  most  favorable  testimony  comes 
from  men  who  are  most  severe  on  the  crow  as  regards  its  other  habits. 

In  this  connection,  the  evidence  furnished  by  the  stomachs  examined  in  the  divi- 
sion during  the  past  year  is  interesting.  The  insects  contained  in  these  stomachs 
have  been  submitted  to  the  entomologist  of  the  department,  and  a  summary  of  the 
results  of  his  examination  will  be  found  in  another  place  ;  but  while  examining  the 
other  components  of  the  food  it  was  easy  to  separate  the  insect  material  from  the  rest, 
and  to  estimate  the  proportion  which  it  formed  of  the  entire  food. 

The  following  table,  showing  the  amount  of  insect  food  in  the  stomachs  examined, 
contains  several  points  of  interest : 

Table  showing  the  amount  of  insect  food  in  the  stomachs  of  eighty-six  crows  (Corvus 
americanus),  arranged  by  months  : 


MONTH. 

Number  of 
stomachs 
examined. 

Number  of 
stomachs 
containing 
insects. 

Percentage  of 
stomachs  con- 
taining insects. 

Average  percent- 
age of  insect  food 
in  stomachs  con- 
taining it. 

Average  percent- 
age of  insect  food 
in  all  stomachs 
examined. 

January 

14 

4 

28  6 

2 

February, 

6 

1 

16.7 

1 

17 

March  

1 

1 

100 

1 

1 

April, 

May.   
June,     ... 

3 
3 

3 

3 

100 
100 

76 
14  7 

76 
14  7 

July 

16 

14 

87  5 

32  6 

•                         28  5 

August.     .  . 

September  
October.          

7 
13 

6 

10 

85.7 
76  9 

33 
12  8 

28.3 
9  8 

November,     
December,         .  .  . 

3 
20 

3 

18 

100 
90 

17.3 
5  9 

17.3 
5  4 

86 

63 

73.2 

19.7 

14.5 

It  appears  from  the  above  table  that  sixty-three  of  the  eighty-six  stomachs  ot  the 
Common  Crow  which  were  examined,  or  more  than  seventy-three  per  cent.,  con- 
tained some  insect  food,  the  average  amount  in  each  of  the  sixty-three  stomachs 
being  nearly  twenty  per  cent.,  or  one-fifth  of  the  entire  food.  Fourteen  and  one- 
half  per  cent,  of  all  the  food  contained  in  the  whole  eighty-six  stomachs  consisted  of 
insects,  and  this  in  spite  of  the  fact  that  two-thirds  of  these  stomachs  were  from  birds 
taken  during  the  colder  half  of  the  year,  namely,  between  October  1  and  April  1. 

At  first  sight  it  seems  still  more  remarkable  that  ninety  per  cent,  of  the  stomachs 
taken  in  December  contained  some  insect  food,  while  but  eighty-seven  and  one-half 
per  cent  of  those  taken  in  July  contained  insects.  Those  taken  in  July,  however, 
contained  in  the  aggregate  more  than  five  times  as  much  food  of  this  kind  as  those 
taken  in  December. 

Again,  of  the  fourteen  stomachs  taken  in  January,  but  four  contained  insect  re- 
mains, as  against  eighteen  out  of  twenty  taken  in  December.  By  consulting  the 
detailed  results  of  the  examination,  however,  the  reason  is  evident ;  for  ten  of  the 
January  birds  were  taken  at  East  Hartford,  Conn.,  when  the  ground  was  mostly 
covered  with  snow,  while  most  of  the  December  birds  were  taken  near  Washington, 
D.  C.,  when  the  ground  was  mostly  bare. 


Plate  93. 


1,  2.  Pine  Grosbeak,    Male  and  Female. 

3.  American  Crossbill  4.  White-winged  Crossbill, 


APPENDIX. 


377 


These  few  facts  show  how  essential  is  the  examination  of  large  numbers  of  stom- 
achs in  order  to  secure  accurate  results,  but  nevertheless  it  is  impossible  to  avoid 
the  conclusion  that  crows  eat  insects  freely  at  all  seasons  of  the  year,  and  that  the 
main  reason  why  they  do  not  eat  as  many  in  cold  weather  as  in  warm  is  simply  be- 
cause they  are  not  to  be  had  then.  These  conclusions  receive  additional  confirmation 
from  the  reports  of  observers,  very  many  of  whom  state  that  the  crow  feeds  on  in- 
sects at  all  times  of  the  year,  but  is  especially  destructive  to  them  when  they  are  ex- 
ceptionally abundant. 

Turning  now  to  the  reports  of  observers  as  to  the  kinds  of  insects  eaten,  we  find 
additional  testimony  favorable  to  the  crow. 

The  following  list  gives  the  names  of  all  insects  on  which  the  crow  is  said  to  feed, 
together  with  the  number  of  observers  reporting  each  kind : 


NAMES. 

No.  of 
reports. 

NAMES. 

No.  of 
reports. 

Insects  of  all  kinds  

11 

Army  worms,  

3 

Insects,  kind  not  specified,    . 

54 

Tobacco  worms. 

2 

Grasshoppers  

80 

Earth  worms  

7 

Crickets. 

8 

Worms   kind  not  specified 

10 

4 

Ants                   i 

2 

Seventeen-year  cicada  

2 

"  Bugs,  "  kind  not  specified  

6 

•  '  White  grubs,  "  

32 

Tent  caterpillar. 

Grass,  kind  not  specified,   

49 

Apple  tree  worm,     

Cut  worms,  .  .   . 

44 

Canker  worm, 

May  beetles  

5 

Corn  worm,  ...             ....             ... 

'  '  June  bugs,  " 

2 

Bud  worm 

Potato  beetles  

6 

"Millers." 

Beetles,  kind  not  specified 

13 

Hessian  fly 

Caterpillars,    .         

Cocoons. 

2 

Wire  worms  

8 

Crysalids  

2 

A  glance  at  the  above  list  shows  that  certain  groups  of  insects  are  reported  by  large 
numbers  of  observers,  and  it  is  interesting  to  note  that  in  almost  every  case  the  in- 
sects so  reported  are  decidedly  injurious.  Thus  grubs  and  "  white  grubs"  aggregate 
eighty-one  reports,  cut-worms  are  mentioned  in  forty-four,  and  grasshoppers  in 
eighty. 

Among  the  numerous  reports  which  mention  a  considerable  variety  of  insects  the 
following  may  be  instanced  : 

From  William  Proud,  Chico,  Cal. : 

It  is  a  great  devourer  of  grubs,  caterpillars,  chrysalises,  etc.;  including  wire-worms,  larvae  of 
cockchafer,  beetles,  army- worms,  grasshoppers,  and  any  other  noxious  vermin  that  falls  in  the 
way. 

From  E.  E.  Mason,  Accotink,  Va. : 

I  have  have  had  them  follow  me  all  day  when  I  have  been  plowing,  picking  up  the  grub- 
worms.  They  are  evidently  voracious  feeders  and  not  nice  as  to  diet,  but  doubtless  drew  the 
line  on  any  of  the  caterpillar  family.  A  friend  of  mine  having  shot  one  cut  his  craw  open  and 
found  so  many  insects  that  he  said  he  had  killed  his  last  crow.  1  think  if  the  crow  was  less  dis- 
turbed there  would  be  less  wormy  roasting  ears. 

From  T.  Scott  Fisher,  East  Brook,  Pa. : 

I  watched  a  pair  of  crows  follow  me  day  after  day  last  spring  [1886]  while  plowing  sod,  and 
saw  one  crow  pick  up  twenty-five  to  forty  white  grubs,  cut-worms,  and  wire-worms  at  one  time 
and  then  tty  to  the  woods  for  an  hour  or  so,  then  back  and  at  it  again. 

From  William  G.  Coutan,  Brackney,  Pa,: 

I  am  convinced  from  personal  observation  that  the  crow  pulls  corn  in  search  of  grubs  and 
worms.  For  where  large  quantities  have  been  pulled  up  the  grain  is  left  intact  on  the  sprout. 

From  F.  R.  Welsh,  Philadelphia,  Pa.: 

On  three  or  four  occasions  I  have  known  crows  to  pull  up  corn  from  two  to  four  inches  high, 
I  do  not  think  they  eat  the  green  top ;  their  object  seems  to  be  to  get  at  the  seeds,  which  they  in- 
variably eat. 

From  John  C.  Lihville,  Gap,  Pa.: 

It  feeds  largely  on  the  large  white  grub,  the  larvae  of  the  May  beetle.  When  the  common 
cut-worm  is  very  numerous  I  have  seen  the  crow  dig  something  out  of  the  hill  of  corn  and  leave 
the  corn  unmolested ;  I  think  he  was  catching  the  worms. 


378  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

FromD.  E.  Pannepacker,  Chalfont,  Pa.: 

A  field  of  corn  is  adjacent  to  my  school-house.  On  the  13th  of  May  the  corn  was  planted,  and 
on  the  22d  of  May  I  first  noticed  the  tender  shoots  above  the  ground.  The  field  previous  to  the 
cultivation  was  covered  with  a  thick  growth  of  sod,  favorable  to  the  existence  of  the  grub  and 
wire-worm.  It  was  but  natural,  too,  for  these  insects  to  remain,  and  not  having  the  tender  shoots 
of  timothy,  clover,  and  other  grasses  to  satisfy  their  appetites,  they  turned  their  attention  to 
the  growing  corn.  The  despised  crow  here  rendered  most  excellent  service,  for  though  he 
pulled  up  the  corn,  I  noticed  each  time  the  well  known  track  of  the  wire- worm,  or  the  worn  path 
of  the  grub. 

When  the  seventeen-year  cicada  appeared  this  summer  (1885)  the  crow  fed  extensively  on  both 
its  pupae  and  imagoes.  The  young  were  fed  to  some  extent  on  the  pupae  on  May  30.  As  they 
had  not  at  this  time  appeared  above  the  ground,  I  suppose  the  crows  obtained  them  in  plowed 
fields.-(.M".  J.  Perry  .Moore,  PTiiia.,  Pa.) 

THE  CHOW  AN  ENEMY  TO  GRASSHOPPERS. 

Probably  the  most  marked  example  of  the  good  which  crows  do  by  destroying 
insects  is  found  in  their  attacks  on  grasshoppers,  crickets,  and  kindred  insects. 
Eighty  observers  report  the  crow  as  feeding  extensively  on  grasshoppers,  and  there 
can  be  no  doubt  that  much  good  is  done  in  this  way.  The  following  examples 
show  something  of  the  extent  of  the  benefit  occasionally  done. 

From  A.  I.  Johnson,  Hydeville,  Vt.: 

Crows  have  some  very  good  qualities,  catching  countless  numbers  of  crickets  and  grasshop- 
pers after  the  hay  is  cut.  They  can  be  seen  at  almost  any  time  of  day  on  the  meadows  catching 
grasshoppers.  I  observed  one  pair  of  old  crows  this  summer  (1885)  when  I  was  haying,  that  were 
feeding  their  young  almost  entirely  (if  not  quite)  on  grasshoppers ;  the  old  crows  would  alight 
on  the  mown  land  within  eight  or  ten  rods  of  me,  and  after  catching  a  hopper  or  two  would  fly 
to  their  young  that  were  on  the  fence  and  there  feed  them  with  the  hoppers. 

From  W.  E.  Saunders,  London,  Ontario,  Canada : 

Last  summer  (1885)  I  watched  a  flock  of  probably  two  thousand  crows  catching  grasshoppers. 

From  J.  B.  Underbill,  Fork  Union,  Va.  : 

As  to  the  insect  diet  of  the  adult  I  cannot  testify,  having  never  examined  the  gizzards.  The 
gizzards  of  two  young  which  were  taken  from  the  nest  were  filled  to  overflowing  with  grass- 
hoppers, and  each  contained  one  or  two  kernels  of  corn. 

From  Morris  M.  Green,  Boonville,  N.  Y.  : 

Near  Boonville  I  have  seen  the  common  crow  feeding  on  grasshoppers  during  the  summer 
months.  Some  fields  seemed  to  be  fairly  black  with  the  birds  pursuing  the  grasshoppers  in 
every  direction.  One  day  noticing  a  flock  of  crows  frequenting  a  particular  field,  I  visited  the 
place,  and  found  that  the  roots  of  the  grass  had  been  completely  eaten  away,  so  that  the  sod  or 
turf  could  be  taken  by  tne  hand  and  rolled  up  like  a  rug  or  carpet.  A  farmer  living  in  the 
vicinity  told  me  that  the  crows  visited  the  place  every  day  to  feed  upon  the  grubs  that  destroyed 
the  turf  in  this  way.  The  grubs  or  larvae  were  about  three-fourths  of  an  inch  in  length  ;  body 
whitish,  with  some  dull  plumbeous  underneath  ;  head  blackish. 

THE  INSECT   FOOD  OF   THE  CROW   AS  REVEALED  BY  EXAMINATION  OF 

STOMACHS. 

Among  the  eighty-six  stomachs  of  the  Common  Crow  examined,  sixty-three  were 
found  to  contain  insect  remains,  and  these  remains  were  submitted  to  the  entomol- 
ogist of  the  department,  Prof.  C.  V.  Riley,  who  caused  a  critical  study  of  them  to  be 
made,  and  has  in  preparation  a  full  report,  showing  the  number  and  kinds  of  insects 
represented  in  each  stomach,  with  notes  as  to  their  habits  and  economic  importance. 
A  brief  summary  of  the  more  important  facts  brought  out  by  this  investigation  is 
given  herewith.  It  has  been  prepared  by  the  writer  from  a  preliminary  report  to 
the  entomologist  by  Tyler  Townsend,  assistant,  who,  with  the  aid  of  the  other 
members  of  the  entomological  force,  made  most  of  the  determinations.  The  full  re- 
port will  appear  in  a  bulletin  on  the  crow,  which  is  now  in  preparation  in  the  orni- 
thological division. 

The  stomachs  examined  contained  the  remains  of  about  ninety-two  species  of 
true  insects,  represented  by  about  five  hundred  specimens.  About  ten  per  cent,  of 
these  cannot  be  classed  properly  as  either  beneficial  or  injurious,  and  the  remainder 


APPENDIX. 


379 


are  divided  pretty  evenly  between  the  two.  The  following  table  shows  the  orders 
represented,  as  well  as  the  number  of  species  and  individuals  in  each,  and  these  are 
further  classified  under  the  heads  beneficial,  injurious  and  neutral : 

Table  showing   the  nature  of  the  insect  food  in  sixty-three  stomachs   of  the 

Common  Crow. 


SPECIES. 

INDIVIDUALS. 

Bene- 
ficial. 

Inju- 
rious. 

Neu- 
tral. 

Total. 

Bene- 
ficial. 

Inju- 
rious. 

Neu- 
tral. 

Total. 

Hymenoptera,    

16 

1 
6 

.... 

17 
6 

126 

8 
16 

.... 

134 
16 
1 
174 
3 
150 
18 

Lepidoptera  

Diptera 

1 

23 
1 

1 

47 
3 

17 

1 

92 

1 
85 

1 

213 

Coleoptera,  

16 

1 
17 

8 
3 

"l" 

57 
1 
150 

232 

32 
1 

18 

Hemiptera 

Orthoptera  

Neuroptera  

Total  

41 

41 

10 

51 

496 

In  addition  to  the  true  insects  mentioned  above,  the  stomachs  contained  remains  of  at  least  three 
species  of  spiders  and  two  of  myriapods.  sixteen  specimens  in  all,  and  all  beneficial. 

The  order  Coleoptera  (beetles)  is  most  numerously  represented,  and  a  majority 
of  the  species  are  beneficial.  It  is  an  interesting  fact  that  no  less  than  eighteen  spe- 
cies of  predaceous  beetles  (Cicindelidce  and  Carabidce)  are  included  in  this  number, 
together  with  nearly  a  dozen  species  of  the  scavenger  beetles  (/Scarabceidce).  Some 
of  these  are  species  possessing  disagreeable  odors,  and  it  is  somewhat  surprising 
that  the  crow  should  take  them  unless  other  food  was  scarce.  They  occur  mosi 
abundantly,  however,  in  stomachs  taken  in  May,  June  and  July,  when  other  food 
must  have  been  abundant.  Among  the  injurious  beetles  identified  are  the  flat- 
headed  apple-tree  borer  (Chrysobothris),  of  which  a  single  specimen  was  found; 
May  beetles  (Lachnosterna')  in  five  stomachs  (nine  specimens  in  one)  ;  and  a  few 
other  borers  and  leaf-feeders.  Three  small  weevils  were  taken  from  one  stomach 
and  considered  "injurious  insects,"  as  they  are,  but  it  is  probable  that  they  were 
hidden  in  kernels  of  corn  which  were  eaten  by  the  crow. 

The  order  Orthoptera  (grasshoppers,  crickets,  etc.)  is  well  represented  by  one 
hundred  and  fifty  specimens  belongingto  seventeen  species.  Twenty-eight  stomachs 
contained  examples  of  this  order,  and  the  results  of  stomach  examination  in  this 
case  bear  out  the  statements  of  observers  and  show  that  in  this  direction  the  work 
done  by  the  crow  is  entirely  beneficial,  as  all  these  insects  are  more  or  less  injurious. 

The  order  Hymenoptera,  including  the  wasps,  bees,  ants,  etc.,  is  represented  in 
the  material  taken  from  the  crow  stomachs  by  one  hundred  and  thirty-four  speci- 
mens belonging  to  seventeen  species,  all  but  one  of  which  are  beneficial.  A  species 
of  saw  fly,  decidedly  injurious,  was  found  in  one  stomach,  and  seven  larvae  of  the 
same  or  another  species  in  a  second  stomach.  One  of  these  stomachs,  however,  also 
contained  the  remains  of  a  young  bird,  apparently  a  nestling,  and  it  is  not  improba- 
ble that  the  saw  flies  came  from  this  source.  Two  other  stomachs  contained  remains 
of  ichneumon  flies  belonging  to  different  genera.  These  are  among  the  most  bene- 
ficial of  insects,  destroying  particularly  large  numbers  of  caterpillars. 

Only  one  other  order  requires  special  mention,  viz.,  the  Lepidoptera.  In  this  are 
included  the  butterflies  and  moths  the  .larvae  of  which  are  almost  invariably  de- 
structive. Contrary  to  what  might  have  been  expected,  the  crow  stomachs  do  not 
show  many  representatives  of  this  order.  Six  species,  five  of  which  are  decidedly 
injurious,  were  recognized,  but  the  sixteen  specimens  were  distributed  among  nine 
stomachs.  The  family  NoctitidcBj  which  includes  the  cut-worms,  was  represented 
by  nine  specimens  in  six  stomachs ;  that  is,  but  six  crows  out  of  eighty-six  had 
eaten  any  cut-worms. 

In  concluding  this  imperfect  summary  of  the  insectivorous  habits  of  the  Common 
Crow  it  must  be  conceded  that  the  showing  is  not  very  favorable  for  the  bird. 


380  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


Considering  merely  the  testimony  of  observers,  the  conclusion  would  be  favorable 
in  the  main,  for  it  appears  that  the  crow  eats  insects  throughout  the  season,  at  many 
times  in  large  quantities,  and  often  of  the  most  injurious  kinds.  To  be  sure,  they 
are  mainly  terrestial  or  subterranean  kinds,  but  they  are  decidedly  injurious  in  the 
main,  and  few,  if  any,  beneficial  insects  are  said  to  be  taken. 

In  the  light  of  the  stomach  examinations,  however,  the  case  assumes  a  different 
complexion,  for  although  the  evidence  from  this  source  confirms  in  some  respects 
the  testimony  of  observers,  it  indicates  also  that  beneficial  and  injurious  insects  are 
taken  in  nearly  equal  quantities,  and  thus  the  good  done  at  one  time  may  be  fully 
neutralized  at  another.  The  force  of  this  point  is  much  weakened  by  the  small 
number  of  stomach  examinations  made,  and  by  the  fact  that  so  few  crows  were  taken 
during  the  summer  months ;  but  the  indications  point  to  an  omnivorous  habit  in 
general,  and  to  the  destruction  of  good  and  bad  insects  indiscriminately. 

As  has  been  suggested  by  many  previous  writers  and  reiterated  by  numbers  of 
our  own  observers,  the  harm  done  in  the  destruction  of  eggs  and  young  of  insectiv- 
orous birds  during  spring  and  early  summer  is  beyond  all  computation  ;  and  it  is 
difficult  for  one  familiar  with  the  magnitude  of  the  crow's  iniquity  in  this  direction 
to  believe  that  any  destruction  of  injurious  insects  or  other  animals  can  fully  atone 
for  it.  Yet  even  here  another  factor  should  be  taken  into  account,  as  it  must  be 
borne  in  mind  that  many  of  the  small  birds  killed  by  the  crow  are  not  strictly  in- 
sectivorous, while  some  of  them,  in  their  thefts  of  fruit  and  other  crops,  continually 
tend  to  even  their  own  accounts  with  the  farmer,  and  occasionally  even  overdraw 
them. 

THE  CROW  AS  AN  ENEMY   TO  FIELD  MICE  AND  OTHER  SMALL  QUADRUPEDS. 

Aside  from  the  insect-eating  habits  of  the  crow  its  most  beneficial  trait  probably  is 
the  killing  of  field  mice.  Of  these  it  is  a  great  destroyer,  hunting  up  the  nests  and 
devouring  young  and  old  whenever  they  can  be  caught.  There  is  abundance  of 
evidence  that  crows  are  very  skilful  at  such  hunting,  and  undoubtedly  they  form 
one  of  the  strong  checks  on  the  increase  of  these  prolific  and  destructive  rodents. 
Among  the  reports  of  our  correspondents  are  twelve  which  mention  this  habit  of 
mouse-hunting,  and  from  these  we  select  a  few  : 

From  James  O.  Whittemore,  Fairfield,  Me.  : 

I  have  observed  crows  catching  insects  and  field  mice  all  the  year  round.  The  general  im- 
pression among  farmers  is  to  tolerate  crows  at  all  seasons  except  the  early  spring. 

From  F.  A.  Sampson,  Sedalia,  Mo.  : 

After  mowing  I  have  seen  crows  feeding  on  what  I  supposed  to  be  grasshoppers ;  they  also 
catch  and  eat  mice. 

We  have  received  one  report  also  from  William  J.  Howerton,  of  Florence,  Ariz., 
who  writes  as  follows  : 

The  Common  Crow  of  this  section  is  of  some  economic  value,  as  I  have  observed  it  catching 
and  killing  the  common  pocket  gopher. 

MISCELLANEOUS  ANIMAL  FOOD  OF  THE  CROW. 

Probably  no  family  of  birds  in  existence  is  more  truly  omnivorous  than  the  crows; 
almost  anything  eatable  is  utilized  when  hunger  presses,  though  at  other  times 
they  are  more  scrupulous  about  their  food.  It  is  useless,  therefore,  to  attempt  to 
give  a  complete  category  of  the  items  which  may  enter  into  the  crow's  diet,  and  as 
many  of  them  have  no  bearing  on  the  economic  aspects  of  the  question  it  is  unnec- 
essary to  dwell  on  the  subject  here  ;  any  one  who  is  curious  to  know  exactly  what 
ninety-eight  crows  had  eaten  just  before  they  were  killed  can  consult  the  list  of 
stomach  examinations  with  which  this  paper  concludes. 

The  animal  matter  contained  in  the  stomachs  of  eighty-six  common  crows  exam- 
ined was  as  follows : 


Plate  94. 


1.  Tree  Sparrow.  2.  Snowtiake. 

3.  Worm-eating  Warbler.        4.  Magnolia  Warbler. 


APPENDIX. 


381 


AXIMAL  CONTEXTS  OF  STOMACHS. 

No.  of 
stomachs 
in  which 
found. 

ANIMAL  CONTENTS  or  STOMACHS. 

No.  of 
stomachs 
in  which 
found. 

Carrion 

14 

5 

Remains  of  mice  

4 

mussels  or  clams. 

4 

I 

£ 

frogs, 

5 

insects 

63 

salamander  

1 

spiders,     .            .  . 

2 

fish 

g 

1 

crayflsh,    

6 

The  following  statement  from  Mr.  John  M.  Richardson,  of  Daingerfield,  Tex.,  is 
interesting  in  this  connection  from  its  novelty.  Mr.  Richardson  writes  : 

The  crow  is  known  to  catch  young  terrapins,  and  there  is  reason  to  believe  that  it  destroys 
other  small  reptiles.  I  remember  a  rock-crowned  hill  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Wateree,  between 
Manchester  and  Statesburgh,  in  Sumpter  county,  Ga.,  that  was  almost  covered  with  remains  of 
small  terrapins  and  land  tortoises  carried  there,  killed,  and  devoured  by  crows. 

RESULTS  IN  DETAIL  OP  THE  EXAMINATION  OF  STOMACHS  OF  THE  COMMON 
CROW  (Corvus  americanus}. 

[NOTE.— The  following-  records  of  dissection  are  from  examinations  of  stomachs  preserved  in 
alcohol  and  forwarded  to  the  Department  of  Agriculture  by  the  collectors  whose  names  accom- 
pany the  records  in  the  list  below.  Unless  otherwise  stated  the  determinations  of  the  various 
items  of  stomach  contents  have  been  made  entirely  by  members  of  the  division,  the  writer  being 
responsible  for  the  larger  part.  The  percentages  of  the  food  elements  in  each  case  are  to  be  re- 
garded simply  as  approximate ;  they  are  merely  careful  estimates,  no  exact  measurement  being 
practicable.  As  elsewhere  stated,  the  remains  of  insects  were  referred  to  the  entomologist  of 
the  department,  for  critical  study,  and  a  summary  of  his  preliminary  report  has  been  given  on 
a  previous  pafe-e.] 

2648.  Male.     Schraalenburgh,  N.  J.     January  2,  1886 ;  9.30  a.  m.     F.  J.  Dixon. 
Animal  matter.  0  per  cent;   vegetable,  90 ;   gravel,  etc.,  6 ;   indeterminate,  4. 

Stomach  less  than  half  full. 

Contents.—  Fragments  of  corn,  acorns,  etc.;  3  bits  of  insect  legs  ;  fine  mud- 
like  matter  not  determined  ;  a  little  sand  and  gravel. 

2649.  Female.    Schraalenburgh,  N.  J.     January  2,  1886  ;  10.30  a.  m.     F.  J.  Dixon. 
Animal  matter,  7  per  cent. ;  vegetable,  90 ;  gravel,  etc.,  3.    Stomach  well  filled. 
Contents.— Remains  of  corn,  pumpkin  and  cucumber  seeds  and  perhaps  other 

seeds ;  remains  of  muscular  fiber,  probably  from  a  mussel  or  clam  as  some 
of  it  was  attached  to  a  piece  of  a  shell,  apparently  that  of  bivalve  ;  a  few 
bits  of  shell  and  a  little  sand  ;  no  remains  of  insects. 

7012.  Chester  county,  Pa.    January  12,  1887.     Dr.  B.  H.  Warren. 

Animal  matter,  25  per  cent.;  vegetable,  50 ;  gravel,  etc.,  25.  Stomach  about 
two-thirds  full. 

Contents.— A  few  bits  of  corn  (kernels),  and  a  large  amount  of  hulls  .of  corn 
or  other  grain,  with  some  other  vegetable  fiber ;  4  seeds  of  poison  ivy 
(Rhus  tozicodendron');  2  vertebrae  of  small  bird*  and  several  fragments  of 
bone  of  small  fisti* ;  3  or  4  small  beetles  and  a  large  quantity  of  other  in- 
sect remains  and  one  spider  ;  a  good  supply  of  coarse  gravel. 

7013.  Chester  county,  Pa.     January  15,  1887.     Dr.  B.  H.  Warren. 

Animal  matter,  1  per  cent;  vegetable,  90;  gravel,  etc.,  9.  Stomach  about 
three-fourths  full. 

Contents.— One  hundred  and  fifty-three  seeds  of  poison  ivy  (Rhus  toxicoden- 
dron),  about  125  seeds  of  sumach  (Rhus  glabra} ;  egg-case  of  a  spider ;  in- 
sect remains ;  a  fair  amount  of  sand  and  gravel ;    a  quantity  of  finely  pul- 
verized vegetable  matter  mixed  with  fine  sand. 
4432.    Male.     East  Hartford,  Conn.     January  15,  1887  ;  a.  m.     Willard  E.  Treat. 

Animal  matter,  10  per  cent;  vegetable,  75;  gravel,  etc.,  15.  Stomach  well 
filled. 


•These  bones*  were  identified  by  K.  A.  Lucas. 


382  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

Contents. — Remains  of  kernels  of  corn,  forming  about  70  per  cent,  of  entire 
stomach  contents  ;  about  15  seeds  of  common  sumach  (Rhus)  and  1  seed  of 
poison  sumach  (Rhus  venenata);  about  10  per  cent,  of  bits  of  flesh  and 
ligament  of  some  animal,  probably  carrion  ;  a  large  amount  of  clean  sand 
without  pebbles  ;  no  insect  remains. 

4433.  Female.     East  Hartford,  Conn.     January  15,  1887  ;  a.  m;    Willard  E.  Treat. 
Animal  matter,  15  per  cent.;  vegetable,  10 ;  gravel,  etc.,  75.    Stomach  less  than 

'  half  full. 

Contents.—  Three  unknown  seeds,  probably  of  apple,  pear,  or  quince ;  a  small 
amount  of  vegetable  matter  like  pulp  of  fruit ;  a  single  hog  bristle  and  a 
number  of  bits  of  meat,  probably  carrion  ;  a  large  amount  of  sand  without 
any  gravel  or  pebbles ;  no  insect  remains. 

4434.  Female.     East  Hartford,  Conn.    January  16,  1887  ;  a.  m.     Willard  E.  Treat. 
Animal  matter,  15  per  cent.;   vegetable,  10;  gravel,  etc.,  75.    Stomach  about 

half  full. 

Contents.— A  few  skins  of  berries  or  seeds  in  small  bits,  and  a  little  other  fine 
vegetable  debris ;  a  single  hog  bristle  and  bits  of  animal  tissue,  probably 
carrion  ;  about  2  per  cent,  of  insect  remains,  all  of  a  single  insect ;  a  large 
amount  of  sand,  and  two  or  three  small  pebbles. 

4435.  Male.    East  Hartford,  Conn.    January  16,  1887  ;  2  p.  m.     Willard  E.  Treat. 
Animal  matter,  5  per  cent;    vegetable,  3  ;   gravel,  etc.,  92.    Stomach  almost 

empty. 

Contents. — One  or  two  hog  bristles  and  a  few  shreds  of  animal  membrane, 
probably  carrion  ;  a  few  bits  of  hulls  of  corn  or  other  grain  ;  a  little  sand 
and  many  small  fragments  of  some  hard  black  mineral ;  no  insect  remains. 

4436.  Female.     East  Hartford,  Conn.    January  16,  1887  ;   2  p.  m.     Willard  E.  Treat. 
Animal  matter,  35  per  cent.;  vegetable,  60 ;  gravel,  etc.,  5.     Stomach  about  half 

full. 

Contents.— About  100  seeds  of  poison  ivy  (Rhus  toxicodendron),  and  7  seeds  of 
common  sumach  (Rhus);  about  35  per  cent,  of  shreds  and  bits  of  animal 
membrane,  probably  carrion ;  a  little  sand  and  five  or  six  small  pebbles ; 
no  insects. 

4437.  Male.     East  Hartford,  Conn.     January  16,  1887  ;  2  p.  m.     Willard  E.  Treat. 
Animal  matter,  40  per  cent.;  vegetable,  10;   gravel,  etc.,  50.    Stomach  almost 

empty. 

Contents.—  Two  seeds  of  harmless  sumach  (Rhus)  and  a  few  hulls  and  skins 
of  other  seeds  or  grain  ;  one  hog  bristle  and  a  few  shreds  and  small  masses 
of  muscle  and  tendon,  probably  carrion ;   sand  without  pebbles ;   no  in 
sects. 

4438.  Male.     East  Hartford,  Conn.    January  16,  1887 ;  2  p.  m.     Williard  E.  Treat. 
Animal  matter,  14  per  cent.;   vegetable,  85;   gravel,  etc.,  1.    Stomach   well 

filled. 

Contents.—  Remains  of  about  20  kernels  of  corn,  9  or  10  of  them  nearly  entire ; 
about  80  seeds  of  harmless  sumach  (Rhus)  ;  one  or  two  hog  bristles,  and 
many  shreds  and  bits  of  meat,  probably  carrion ;  a  very  little  sand  ;  no  in- 
sects. , 

4450.  Female.     East  Hartford,  Conn.     January  31,  1887  ;  10  a.  m.     Willard  E.  Treat. 
Animal  matter,  5  percent.  ;  vegetable,  48 ;  gravel,  etc.,  47.     Stomach  well  filled. 
Contents.—  Remains  of  kernels  of  corn,  mostly  hulls;  one  or  two  small  shreds 

of  meat  (carrion  ?)  ;  a  dozen  or  more  caddis-fly  cases  and  some  of  the  legs 
of  the  larvae  [Tyler  Townsend]  ;  a  large  amount  of  sand  and  gravel. 

4451.  Male.     East  Hartford,  Conn.    January  31,  1887  ;  10  a.  m.     Williard  E.  Treat. 
Animal  matter,  50  per  cent.  ;  vegetable,  50 ;  gravel,  etc.,  0.     Stomach  less  than 

half  full. 

Contents.—  Scraps  and  shreds  of  meat  and  animal  membrane  (carrion  ?)  ;  about 
120  seeds  of  harmless  sumach  (Rhus),  and  other  remains  of  the  berries; 
no  gravel  or  sand  ;  no  insects. 


APPENDIX.  383 


4452.  Male.  East  Hartford,  Conn.  January  31,  1887  ;  10  a.  m.  Williard  E.  Treat 
Animal  matter,  50  per  cent. ;  vegetable,  42  ;  gravel,  etc.,  8.  Stomach  well  filled. 
Contents.—  Shreds  and  tendinous  masses  of  animal  matter,  probably  carrion ; 

remains  of  a  few  acorns  or  chestnuts  ;  77  seeds  of  poison  ivy  (Rhus  toxi- 

codendron)  ;  about  175  seed  of  harmless  sumach  (#/ms)  ;  a  small  amount 

of  gravel  and  sand ;  no  insects. 
3059.    Male.     Sandy  Spring,  Md.     February  4,  1887  ;  a.  m.     H.  H.  Miller. 

Animal  matter,  0  per  cent  ;  vegetable,  87  ;  gravel,  etc.,  10;  indeterminate,  3. 

Stomach  well  filled. 
Contents. — Corn  almost  entirely,  more  than  half  of  it  in  large  pieces,  some  nearly 

entire  kernels  and  a  large  quantity  of  hulls  ;  about  10  per  cent,  of  gravel 

and  sand,  the  bulk  of  it  being  rusty  quartz ;  a  small  amount  (3  per  cent  y 

of  fine  "mud,"  not  identifiable ;  no  insects. 

4461.  East  Hartford,  Conn.     February  14,  1887  ;  10  a.  m.     Willard  E.  Treat 
Animal  matter,  40  per  cent;  vegetable,  50;  gravel,  etc.,  10.     Stomach  well 

filled. 

Contents.— Remains  of  corn  and  perhaps  other  grains,  with  a  few  bits  of  grass 
and  hulls  of  seeds ;  about  60  seeds  of  harmless  sumach  (fthus),  apparently 
of  two  distinct  species ;  2  seeds  of  red  cedar  (Juniperus)  ;  a  large  amount 
of  muscular  fiber,  fat,  and  sinews,  probably  carrion  ;  sand  and  gravel ;  no 
insects. 

4462.  Female.     East  Hartford,  Conn.     February  14,  1887  ;  10  a.  m.     Willard  E.  Treat 
Animal  matter,  5  per  cent,  vegetable,  45;  gravel,  etc.,  50.     Stomach  nearly 

empty. 

Contents.—  Remnants  of  corn  and  hulls ;  a  few  bits  of  acorn  shells  ;  a  bit  of 
skin  (without  hair)  of  some  animal ;  a  single  hog  bristle  ;  a  fair  amount  of 
fine  sand,  and  two  or  three  small  pebbles ;  no  insects. 

4463.  Female.     East  Hartford,  Conn.     February  14,  1887 ;  10  a.  m.    Willard  E.  Treat. 
Animal  matter,  1  percent;  vegetable,  45;  gravel,  etc.,  50;  indeterminate,  4. 

Stomach  about  half  full. 

Contents.—  About  100  seeds  of  harmless  sumach  (Rhus),  and  a  considerable 
amount  of  hulls,  skins,  etc.,  of  these  or  other  seeds  and  fruits  ;  a  few 
minute  bits  of  the  hard  parts  of  insects  ;  a  little  very  fine  black  "mud," 
not  determined ,  sand,  gravel,  and  bits  of  coke. 

4464.  Male.     East  Hartford,  Conn.     February  14,  1887  ;  10  a.  m.     Williard  E.  Treat 
Animal  matter,  75  per  cent  ;  vegetable,  0 ;  gravel,  etc.,  25.     Stomach  almost 

empty. 

Contents.—  One  hog  bristle  ;  a  very  little  muscular  fiber  and  sinew  and  some 

fat,  doubtless  all  carrion  ;  a  small  amount  of  fine  sand  ;  no  insects. 
3139.     Male.     West  Goshen,  Pa.     February  15,  1886.     Dr.  B.  H.  Warren. 

Animal  matter,  5  per  cent  ;  vegetable,  93;  gravel,  etc.,  2.  Stomach  about 
half  full. 

Contents. — Remains  of  numerous  kernels  of  corn  ;  6  seeds  of  sumach  ;  a  small 
bone  from  tarsus  or  carpus  of  some  animal,  apparently  of  the  size  of  a  dog 
or  sheep  ;  a  single  piece  of  slate  about  one-half  inch  long;  no  insects. 
1331.    Male.     Washington,  D.  C.     March  13,  1886  ;  4  p.  m.     Dr.  A.  K.  Fisher. 

Animal  matter,  1  percent.  ;  vegetable,  97  ;  gravel,  etc.,  2.    Stomach  well  filled. 

Contents. — Unidentified  vegetable  matter  mainly  ;  a  few  bits  of  corn  or  other 
grain,  with  some  hulls,  bits  of  grass,  and  what  appears  to  be  young  sprouts 
of  some  vegetable  ;  3  or  4  small  seeds  not  identified  ;  a  single  claw  of  a  cray- 
fish and  a  few  bits  of  insect  remains  ;  no  pebbles  and  very  little  sand. 
1379.   Young.    Saint  Louis,  Mo.     May  23,  1885.     Otto  Widmann. 

Animal  matter,  99  per  cent  ;  vegetable,  0  ;  gravel,  etc.,  1. 

Contents. — Many  bones  of  frog  ;  numerous  fragments  of  insects  ;  a  very  little 
sand. 


384  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

5510.  Nestling.     Gainesville,  Va.     May  13,  1887  ;  5  p.  m.     Dr.  A.  K.  Fisher. 
Animal  matter,  90  per  cent.  ;    vegetable,  0  ;    gravel,  etc.,  0;  indeterminate,  10. 

Stomach  well  filled. 

Contents. — Mainly  insects  ;  a  few  bones  of  a  small  frog  ;  about  10  per  cent,  of 
fine  "mud,"  apparently  a  mixture  of  animal,  vegetable,  and  mineral  mat- 
ter, but  not  determinable  ;  no  sand  or  gravel. 

5511.  Nestling.     Gainesville,  Va.     May  13,  1887  ;  5  p.  m.     Dr.  A.  K.  Fisher. 
Animal  matter,  90  per  cent.  ;  vegetable,  7  ;  gravel,  etc.,  1 ;   indeterminate,  2. 

Stomach  about  two-thirds  full. 

Contents. — Six  or  eight  small  pieces  of  vegetable  matter,  apparently  bits  of  an 
acorn  or  chestnut ;  a  few  shreds  of  vegetable  fiber  ;  2  or  3  minute  bones  of 
a  fish  ;  3  bits  of  shell,  probably  of  snail  ;  a  single  small  pebble  and  a  few 
grains  of  sand;  a  large  amount  (nearly  90  per  cent.)  of  insect  remains, 
among  which  pieces  of  beetles  are  numerous ;  a  small  amount  of  fine  mud- 
like  material,  probably  from  the  insects. 

2514.  Adult  female.    Sing  Sing,  N.  Y.     June  30,  1886  ;  3  p.  m.     Dr.  A.  K.  Fisher. 
Animal  matter,  1  per  cent.  ;  vegetable,  99;  gravel,  etc.,  0.    Stomach  full. 
Contents. — Mainly  corn,  one  whole  kernel  and  many  large  pieces,  and  a  large 

amount  of  hulls  and  finely  pulverized  corn;  3  stones  of  cherries  (culti- 
vated), a  few  bits  of  black  vegetable  material  like  the  shell  of  an  acorn  ;  a 
few  bits  of  the  hard  parts  of  beetles ;  no  sand  or  gravel. 
2677.   Young.     Englewood,  N.  J.     June  27,  1886  ;  5  p.  m.     F.  M.  Chapman. 

Animal  matter,  95  per  cent.  ;  vegetable,  5;  gravel,  etc.,  0.   Stomach  well  filled. 

Contents. — Remains  of  small  bird,  apparently  an  unfledged  young;   remains 

of  insect  larvae  and  insects,  but  these  may  have  come  from  the  stomach  of 

the  young  bird  eaten  by  the  crow  ;    a  few  bits  of  the  hulls  of  corn,  and 

other  vegetable  debris. 

3045.   Adult  (?).  Peterborough,  Madison  county,  N.  Y.   June,  1886.   G.  S.  Miller,  Jr, 

Animal  matter,  3  per  cent.  ;  vegetable,  95  ;  gravel,  etc.,  2.     Stomach  well  filled. 

Contents.— Kernels  of  corn,  oats,  and  a  few  of  wheat,  together  with  a  large 
quantity  of  hulls,  mainly  of  oats  ;  a  few  small  fragments  of  insects  ;  4  small 
pebbles,  and  a  very  little  sand. 

3769.    Male.      Immature.      Peck's   Island,  New  Jersey.     July  1,  1886;    noon.     J. 
Percy  Moore. 

Animal  matter,  15  per  cent.  ;  vegetable,  10;  gravel,  etc.,  75.  Stomach  about 
half  full. 

Contents.—  Mainly  sand  and  bits  of  shell ;  two  or  three  bits  of  seaweed  and  a 
very  little  other  vegetable  matter  ;  1  gasteropod  shell  about  half  an  inch 
long;  3  or  4  joints  of  a  crustacean's  legs;  hundreds  of  minute  fish  verte- 
brae, almost  microscopic  ;  about  5  per  cent,  of  insect  remains  in  very  fine 
pieces. 

2515.  Male.     Immature.     Sing  Sing,  N.  Y.     July  1,  1886;  9  a.  m.     Dr.  A.  K.  Fisher. 
Animal  matter,  99  per  cent.  ;  vegetable,  0;   gravel,  etc.,  0;  indeterminate,  1. 

Stomach  about  half  full. 

Contents. — Insects,  mainly  larvae  ;  a  few  bits  of  what  appears  to  be  bark  or 
wood,  but  not  positively  identified  ;  no  sand  or  gravel. 

2516.  Male  adult.     Sing  Sing,  N.  Y.     July  1,  1886  ;  9  a.  m.     Dr.  A.  K.  Fisher. 
Animal  matter,  2  per  cent.  ;  vegetable,  95  ;  gravel,  etc.,  3.    Stomach  well  filled. 
Contents. — Nine  cherry  stones,  with  skins  and  pulp  of  about  3  ;   fragments  of 

corn  or  other  grain,  and  the  hulls  of  same  ;  about  20  seeds  of  Rubus  sp.  ? 
and  6  or  8  unknown  seeds  ;  a  few  remains  of  insects,  apparently  beetles  ;  5 
small  pebbles  and  a  little  sand. 

Dr.  Fisher  says  the  cherry  stones  are  from  cherries  which  grow  every- 
where in  the  woods  about  Sing  Sing,  and  probably  have  escaped  from  cul- 
tivation. They  are  very  dark  when  ripe,  almost  black. 


APPENDIX.  385 


2517.  Male  adult    Sing  Sing,  N.  Y.    July  1,  1886  ;  noon.     Dr.  A.  K.  Fisher. 
Animal  matter,  65  per  cent;  vegetable,  33;   gravel,  etc.,  2.     Stomach  well 

filled. 

Contents. — Seven  cherry  stones  (like  those  in  No.  2516),  and  bits  of  skins  and 
other  debris  of  fruit;  about  a  dozen  seeds  of  Rubua,  apparently  the  red 
raspberry  ( R.  strigosus) ;  large  quantity  of  insect  remains,  one  or  two  in- 
sects nearly  entire  ;  a  very  small  amount  of  sand. 

2518.  Male  adult     Sing  Sing,  N.  Y.     July  1,  1886  ;  1  p.  m.     Dr.  A.  K.  Fisher. 
Animal  matter,  70  per  cent;  vegetable,  30  ;  gravel,  etc.,  0.    Stomach  full. 
Contents.— Nineteen  cherry  stones  (like  those  in  No.  2516)  ;  a  few  bits  of  fruit 

skins  and  vegetable  fiber ;  a  very  large  amount  of  insect  remains ;  four 
small  vertebrae  of  small,  tailed  batrachian,  perhaps  a  salamander  (iden- 
tified by  F.  A.  Lucas). 

2519.  Male  adult     Sing  Sing,  N.  Y.     July  2,  1886 ;  .10.30  a.  m.     Dr.  A.  K.  Fisher. 
Animal  matter,  60  per  cent;  vegetable,  40 ;  gravel,   etc.,  0.     Stomach  well 

filled. 

Contents. — Six  cherry  stones  (like  those  in  No.  2516),  and  a  very  little  other 
vegetable  matter ;  bones  and  flesh  of  a  small  bullfrog  (identified  by  F.  A. 
Lucas).  No  trace  of  insects  or  gravel. 

2520.  Female  adult    Sing  Sing,  N.  Y.    July  2,  1886  ;  1  p.  m.     Dr.  A.  K.  Fisher. 

Animal  matter,  50  per  cent;  vegetable,  50;  gravel,  etc.,  0.  Stomach  little 
distended. 

Contents.—  Five stones  of  cherry  (like  those  in  No.  2516);  remains  of  insects; 
no  gravel. 

2521.  Female  adult    Sing  Sing,  N.  Y.    July  2,  1886 ;  1.30  p.  m.     Dr.  A.  K.  Fisher. 
Animal  matter,  60  per  cent;  vegetable,  40;  gravel,  etc.,  0.     Stomach  nearly 

empty. 

Contents.—  One  cherry  stone  (like  those  found  in  No.  2516),  and  a  single  frag- 
ment of  some  other  fruit  stones ;  insect  remains  ;  no  gravel. 

2522.  Female  adult     Sing  Sing,  N.  Y.     July  2,  1886;  2.30  p.  m.     Dr.  A.  K.  Fisher. 
Animal  matter,  33  per  cent;   vegetable,  65;  gravel,  etc.,  2.      Stomach  well 

filled. 

Contents. — Four  cherries,  whole  or  nearly  so,  and  stones  of  twelve  more  (like 
those  in  No.  2516),  with  a  very  little  other  vegetable  matter;  bones  of  a 
frog,  forming  about  four-fifths  of  the  animal  matter,  the  remainder  being 
fragments  of  insects ;  a  single  pebble  and  a  very  little  sand. 

2678.  Young.    Nigger  Pond,  Ramapo  Mountains,  N.  J.    July  4,  1886;  5  p.  m.     F. 

M.  Chapman. 
Animal  matter,  10  per  cent;  vegetable,  90;  gravel,  etc.,  0.     Stomach  nearly 

empty. 
Contents. — A  few  pieces  of  acorns,  peas,  or  kernels  of  corn  ;  three  or  four  small 

berries,  probably  of  the  heath  family,  perhaps  blueberries  (  Vaccinium)  ; 

two  or  three  pieces  of  animal  matter,  possibly  bits  of  marine  worms:  two 

or  three  bones  of  small  fish  ;  no  sand  or  gravel. 

2679.  Young.     Nigger  Pond,  Ramapo  Mountains,  New  Jersey.     July  4,  1886 ;  5  p. 

rn.    F.  M.  Chapman. 

Animal  matter,  3  per  cent;  vegetable,  97;  gravel,  etc.,  0.  Stomach  about 
half  full. 

Contents. — Numerous  fragments  of  the  flesh  of  some  nut,  fruit  or  grain,  not 
determined,  perhaps  of  acorn,  as  there  are  many  fragments  of  shell  re- 
sembling that  of  an  acorn  ;  2  pistils  of  flowers  nearly  an  inch  long ;  a  few 
bones  of  small  fish  ;  no  trace  of  insects  or  gravel. 

2866.   Male  adult  (?).     Peterborough,  Madison  county,  N.  Y.    July  14,  1886.    G.  S. 
Miller,  Jr. 

Animal  matter,  60  per  cent;  vegetable,  30;  gravel,  etc.,  4;  indeterminate,  6. 
Stomach  well  filled. 

25  BIRDS. 


386  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


Contents.— Remains  of  oats  (mainly  the  hulls);  fine  grass  and  some  other 
vegetable  fiber ;  bones  and  nearly  all  the  teeth  of  a  field-mouse  (Arvicola 
riparius),  forming  about  25  per  cent,  of  the  whole  stomach  contents; 
about  30  per  cent,  of  insect  remains  ;  about  6  per  cent,  of  fine  "  mud  "  not 
identifiable. 

4886.  Young.    Hillsborough,  New  Brunswick.   July  15,  1886  ;  3  to  4  p.  m.    Jonathan 

D wight,  Jr. 
Animal  matter,  10  per  cent.;  vegetable,  45;  gravel,  etc.,  45.     Stomach  nearly 

empty. 
Contents. — Remains  of  seeds  and  berries,  two  kinds  of  seeds  not  recognized  ; 

remains  of  insects  ;  10  pebbles  ;  no  sand. 

4887.  Male,  young.    Hillsborough,  New  Brunswick.   July  16, 1886;  8  a.  m.,  Jonathan 

Dwight,  Jr. 

Animal  matter,  35  per  cent.;  vegetable,  65  ;  gravel,  etc.,  0.  Stomach  less  than 
half  full. 

Contents. — A  piece  of  moss  about  half  an  inch  long ;  hulls  of  five  or  six  rasp- 
berries; seven  seeds  of  red  raspberry  (Rubus  strigosus);  remains  of  a 
large  cutworm  ;  no  gravel  or  sand. 

4888.  Female,  young.    Hillsborough,  New  Brunswick.     July  16, 1886 ;  8  a.  m.   Jona- 

than Dwight,  jr. 

Animal  matter,  1  percent.;  vegetable,  99;  gravel,  etc.,  0.  Stomach  less  than 
half  full. 

Contents.— Hulls  and  a  few  seeds  of  raspberry ;  two  small  unknown  pods  not 
yet  ripe  ;  twelve  or  fifteen  very  small  seeds,  possibly  those  of  strawber- 
ries ;  a  single  fragment  of  some  beetle  ;  no  gravel  or  sand. 

4962.   Male,  immature.      Hillsborough,  New  Brunswick.      July  29,  1886;    5  p.  m. 
Jonathan  Dwight,  Jr. 

Animal  matter,  20  per  cent;  vegetable,  80 ;  gravel,  etc.,  0.  Stomach  about 
half  full. 

Contents. — A  large  amount  of  pulp  and  skins  of  some  fruit  not  identified  (the 
pulp  looks  like  that  of  an  early  apple,  but  the  skins  are  too  thin);  two 
stones  of  some  species  of  Prunus,  perhaps  a  beech  plum  ;  remains  of  in- 
sects, mainly  (?)  beetles,  but  one  large  cutworm  ;  no  gravel. 

735.    Immature.    Sing  Sing,  N.  Y.      September  18,   1885 ;    10  a.   m.      Dr.   C.   Hart 
Merriam. 

Animal  matter,  5  per  cent;  vegetable,  60;  gravel,  etc.,  20;   indeterminate,  15. 

Stomach  well  filled. 

Contents. — Twenty-two  stones  of  wild  cherry  (Prunus  serotina)',  9  of  cornel  (Cor- 
nus  sp.  ?),  and  3  unidentified  ;  also  pulp  of  above  berries;  a  few  pieces  of 
of  what  appears  to  be  an  acorn  or  chestnut ;  various  hard  parts  of  insects. 
1540.   Alfred  Centre,  N.  Y.     September  20,  1885  ;  a.  m.    F.  S.  Place. 

Animal  matter,  45  per  cent;  vegetable,  53  ;  gravel,  etc.,  2.    Stomach  full. 

Contents.—  Fragments  of  the  "meat"  of  some  nut  or  large  seed;    pieces  of 
acorns  or  chestnuts ;  numerous  fragments  of  fruit  pulp,  probably  apple ; 
many  insect  remains  (45  per  cent) ;  5  small  pebbles ;  no  sand. 
154L   Alfred  Centre,  N.  Y.    September  20,  1885  ;  a.  m.    F.  S.  Place. 

Animal  matter,  40 per  cent;  vegetable,  60 ;  gravel,  etc.,  0.    Stomach  full. 

Contents.— Seven  stones  of  wild  cherry  (Prunus  serotina);  5  or  6  triangular 
seeds  (of  Polygonum  ?)  skins  and  other  vegetable  matter  from  both  the 
preceding,  and  some  long  vegetable  fiber  from  some  other  plant ;  numer- 
ous insect  remains  ;  no  sand  or  gravel. 
2239.    Male.     Washington,  D.  C.     September  7,  1886;  11  a.  m.     W.  B.  Barrows. 

Animal  matter,  0  per  cent;  vegetable,  70;  gravel,  etc.,  5;  indeterminate,  25. 
stomach  almost  empty. 

Contents.—  One  grape  seed  ;  vegetable  fiber  finely  divided ;  2  or  3  bits  of  sand 
and  gravel ;  fine  mud-like  material,  not  identifiable ;  no  insects. 


Plate  95. 


1.  White-throated  Sparrow.       2.  Towhee. 

3.  White-crowned  Sparrow.       4.  Water  Thrush, 


Males. 


APPENDIX.  387 


2240.   Male.     Washington,  D.  C.    September  7,  1886  ;  11  a.  m.     F.  A.  Lucas. 

Animal  matter,  10  per  cent;  vegetable,  80;  gravel,  etc.,  10.     Stomach  about 

half  full. 

Contents. — Grape  seeds  and  skins,  with  a  little  pulp  and  much  vegetable  fiber; 
other  vegetable  material  not  identifiable  ;  7  seeds  of  poison  ivy  ;  small 
amount  of  gravel ;  a  few  insect  remains. 

The  grape  seeds  are  undoubtedly  those  of  cultivated  grapes,  as  this  bird 
and  No.  2239  were  shot  near  a  vineyard,  the  owner  of  which  complained  of 
the  great  damage  done  by  the  crows. 
2698.  Alfred  Centre,  N.  Y.    September  7,  1886.     F.  S.  Place. 

Animal  matter,  95  per  cent.;  vegetable,  5;  gravel,  etc.,  0.     Stomach  less  than 

half  full. 

Contents.—  One  stone  of  wild  cherry  and  a  very  little  fine  vegetable  matter, 
probably  from  the  fruit  of  the  same  ;   several  grasshoppers  and  perhaps 
.  other  insects ;  no  gravel. 
2242.    Male.     Shelter  Island,  New  York.     September  11,  1886  ;  a.  m.     W.  W.  Worth- 

ington. 

Animal  matter,  10  per  cent.,  vegetable,  85  ;  gravel,  etc.,  5.  Stomach  well  filled. 
Contents.— About  50  seeds  of  bay-berry  or  wax- berry  (  Myrica  cerifera) ;  hulls 
of  corn  or  some  other  grain,  with  a  few  small  bits  of  the  grain  ;  a  little 
fine  vegetable  material,  not  identified ;  remains  of  the  legs  of  a  small 
crustacean  ;  4  small  snail  shells  (marine);  2  vertebrae  of  small  fish  ;  a  few 
fragments  of  insects  ;  a  little  sand. 

4587.  Male.    Shelter  Island,  New  York.     October  1,   1886;  a.  m.     W.   W.  Worth- 

ington. 
Animal  matter,  25  per  cent.;    vegetable,  60 ;   gravel,  etc.,  15.     Stomach  about 

half  full. 
Contents.—  Fragments  of  acorns  or  chestnuts,  and,  perhaps  of  some  other  seeds, 

but  these  mainly ;  remains  of  a  crayfish  ;  4  or  5  minute  bits  of  an  insect ; 

considerable  sand,  but  no  pebbles. 

4588.  Male.     Shelter  Island,  New  York.     October  1,   1886;   a.   m.      W.    W.   Worth- 

ington. 

Animal  matter,  0  per  cent.;  vegetable,  100;  gravel,  etc.,  0.  Stomach  less  than 
half  full. 

Contents.— Remains  of  a  dozen  or  more  kernels  of  corn  ;   about  50  stones  of 

bay-berry  (  Myrica  cerifera);  a  single  stone  of  some  wild  Prunus,  probably 

the  beech  plum  (P.  maritima);  3  small  claw  tips  of  a  crab  or  crayfish, 

probably  taken  as  gravel  (?);  no  insects. 

2269.   Female,  adult.    Sing  Sing,  N.  Y.    October  2,  1886 ;   3  p.  m.     Dr.  A.  K.  Fisher. 

Animal  matter,  2  per  cent;  vegetable,  95  ;  gravel,  etc.,  3.    Stomach  full. 

Contents.— Nineteen  seeds  of  flowering  dogwood  (Cornus  florida);  17  seeds  of 
bay-berry  (Myrica  cerifera}',  bits  of  shell  of  chestnuts  and  large  amount 
of  chestnut  "  meat ; "   8  vertebrae  and  other  small  bones  of  a  small  fish ; 
minute  bits  of  the  shell  of  insects  ;  little  sand  and  gravel. 
1439.   Essex  Junction,  Vt    October  3,  1885 ;  10  a.  m.     Charles  A.  Davis. 

Animal  matter,  1  per  cent.;  vegetable,  10;  gravel,  etc.,  89.  Stomach  nearly 
empty. 

Con  tents.— Skin  and  pulp  of  a  single  fruit,  perhaps  a  grape,  but  no  seeds ;  large 
quantity  of  sand  and  gravel ;   minute  fragments  of  the  hard  parts  of  in- 
sects. 
1444.    Winfield  N.  Y.     October  4,  1885 ;  a.  m.     O.  P.  Hitchings. 

Animal  matter,  5  per  cent;  vegetable,  5  ;  gravel,  etc.,  85  ;  indeterminate,  5. 

Contents. — A  few  bits  of  oats  and  perhaps  other  grain  ;  a  mixture  of  finely 
pulverized  vegetable  and  mineral  matter,  forming  a  fine  black  mud ;  a 
laige  amount  of  sand  and  pebbles  ;  a  lew  fragments  of  insects. 


388  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

2564.   Female.     Broadway,  Queens  county,  N.  Y.     October  16,  1886 ;  noon.     William 
Dutcher. 

Animal  matter,  18  per  cent;  vegetable,  75  ;  gravel,  etc.,  7.    Stomach  well  filled. 

Contents.—  Remains  of  acorns  or  chestnuts ;  remains  of  insects  ;   gravel,  in- 
cluding many  bits  of  shell. 
1141.   Adult.     Sing  Sing,  N.  Y.     October  18,  1885.     Dr.  A.  K.  Fisher. 

Animal  matter,  10  per  cent;  vegetable.  75;  gravel,  etc.,  10;  indeterminate,  5. 
Stomach  Avell  filled. 

Contents. — Fragments  of  acorns  or  chestnuts ;   about  50  seeds  of  poison  su- 
mach ;  remains  of  various  insects ;  skin  and  pulp  of  a  few  berries. 
1515.    Watkins,  N.  Y.    October  20,  1885;  8. 45  a.  m.    H.  C.  Griswold. 

Animal  matter,  25  per  cent.;  vegetable,  25;  gravel,  etc.,  50.  Stomach  about 
half  full. 

Contents.—  Fragments  of  seeds,  one  of  which  appears 'to  be  that  of  a  squash  or 
melon  ;  a  little  unidentifiable  vegetable  matter  ;  remains  of  insects  :  sand 
and  gravel. 
3940.   Male.     Rockville,  Conn.     October  22,  1886.     H.  K.  James. 

Animal  matter,  60  per  cent;  vegetable,  35:  gravel,  etc.,  5.    Stomach  full. 

Contents.—  Remains  of  some  large  seed,  possibly  corn  or  beans  of  some  kind; 
large  quantity  of  insect  remains,  mainly  grasshoppers ;   small  quantity  of 
gravel,  mostly  bits  of  quartz,  but  one  fair-sized  garnet 
4080.   Male.     East  Hartford,  Conn.     October  22,  1886 ;  noon.     C.  C.  Hanmer. 

Animal  matter,  2  per  cent;  vegetable,  96  ;  gravel,  etc.,  2.    Stomach  full. 

Contents. — Remains  of  acorns  or  chestnuts  almost  entirely,  and  mainly  with- 
out any  bits  of  shell ;  a  small  amount  of  insect  fragments  in  very  small 
bits ;  a  few  pieces  of  charcoal,  and  a  very  little  sand. 
1460.    Male.     Redford,  Mich.     October  26,  1885  ;  7  a.- m.     (Killed  over  corn-field.) 

William  J.  Muldragh. 

Animal  matter,  0  per  cent ;  vegetable,  99 ;  gravel,  etc.,  1.  Stomach  about  half 
full. 

Contents.—  Mainly  fragments  of  the  pulp  or  flesh  of  some  nut  or  berry,  pos- 
sibly acorns  ;  2  grape  seeds ;  3  small  pebbles,  no  sand ;  no  insect  remains ; 
no  traces  of  corn. 

1201.  Male.     Washington,  D.  C.     October  30,  1885 ;  4  p.  m.     Dr.  C.  Hart  Merriam, 
Animal  matter,  trace  ;  vegetable,  89  per  cent;  gravel,  etc.,  5 ;  indeterminate,  5. 

Stomach  well  filled. 

Contents. — Twenty  or  thirty  kernels  of  corn  in  fragments  ;  21  stones  of  flower- 
ing dogwood  (Cornusflorida);  125  seeds  of  poison  ivy;  sand  and  gravel; 
and  what  appears  to  be  fine  mud  ;  no  trace  of  insect  remains. 

1202.  Female.    Washington,  D.  C.    October  30,  1885  ;  4  p.  m.     Dr.  C.   Hart  Merriarn. 
Animal  matter,  1  per  cent  ;  vegetable,  94  ;  gravel,  etc.,  5.    Stomach  full. 
Contents. — About  40  seeds  of  Virginia  creeper   (Ampelopsis  quinquefolia); 

about  50  seeds  of  grapes  (  Vitis),  at  least  2  species  ;  about  20  seeds  of  poison 
ivy,  1  of  poison  sumach,  and  30  more  unidentified ;  pulps  and  skins  of 
grapes  and  other  fruit  ;  bits  of  sea-weed,  grass,  and  unrecognizable  vege- 
table matter ;  a  few  bits  of  insects  ;  sand,  gravel,  2  or  3  bits  of  mollusk 
shell,  and  single,  worn  claw  of  crayfish.  ^ 

1250.   Female.     Washington,    D.    C.     November    14,  1885;   11.30   a.    m.     Dr.    A.    K. 
Fisher. 

Animal  matter,  8  per  cent;  vegetable,  90  ;  gravel,  etc.,  2.     Stomach  full. 

Contents.—  Nine  seeds  of  Virginia  creeper  (Ampelopsis');  12  stones  of  flower- 
ing dogwood  (Cornus  florida)  ;  fragments  of  about  5  kernels  of  corn  ;  a 
few  hairs  of  a  small  mammal  (probably  mouse)  ;  1  very  small  gasteropod 
shell ;  bones  of  the  head  of  a  small  fish  ;  minute  fragments  of  one  insect 
2301.   Adult     Washington,  D.  C.     November  7,  1886 ;  4.30  p.  m.     H.  W.  Henshaw. 

Animal  matter,  10  per  cent;  vegetable,  65;  gravel,  etc.,  20;  indeterminate,  5. 
Stomach  full. 


APPENDIX. 


Contents.— Remains  of  acorns,  chestnuts,  and  perhaps  other  seeds  ;  a  single 
grape  seed,  and  some  hulls  of  corn  or  other  grain,  with  much  fine  vege- 
table matter  like  saw-dust  ;  a  considerable  amount  of  sand  and  gravel ; 
remains  (fine)  of  many  insects. 
1709.   Male.     Calhoun,  Ga.     November  28,  1885.     R.  Windsor  Smith. 

Animal  matter.  75  per  cent.;  vegetable,  10;  gravel,  etc.,  15. 

Contents. — Twenty-four  seeds  of  poison  ivy  ;  a  small  snake,  8  inches  or  more 
in  length;  a  small  snail  (Helix")}  1  very  large  spider;  remains  of  many 
insects,  constituting  Almost  40  per  cent  of  entire  stomach  contents  ;  4  or  5 
pebbles  of  the  size  of  kernels  of  corn,  and  some  sand  ;  a  very  little  unde- 
termined vegetable  matter. 
1518.  Male.  Watkins,  N.  Y.  December  15,  1885 ;  4  p.  m.  H.  C.  Griswold. 

Animal  matter,  12  per  cent.;  vegetable,  63  ;  gravel,  etc.,  25.    Stomach  full. 

Contents. — Remains  of  corn,  acorns,  or  chestnuts  ;  some  other  seeds  too  much 
comminuted  to  determine ;  numerous  insect  remains  ;  large  quantity  of 
gravel. 

4600.   Male.     Rockaway  Beach,  Long  Island,  N.  Y.     December  17,  1885.     Jonathan 
Dwight,  jr. 

Animal  matter,  95  per  cent.;  vegetable,  0;  gravel,  etc.,  5.  Stomach  nearly 
empty. 

Contents.—  The  animal  matter  of  one  or  more  shell-fish  (apparently  a  mussel 
and  a  barnacle,  as  bits  of  shell  belonging  to  these  are  also  contained);  a 
very  little  sand ;  no  insects. 
1269.    Female.     Washington,  D.  C.     December  2,  1885  ;  4  p.  m.     Dr.  A.  K.  Fisher. 

Animal  matter,  1  per  cent.;  vegetable,  75  ;  gravel,  etc.,  20;  indeterminate,  4. 

Contents. — Fragments  of  1  or  2  acorns  or  chestnuts  ;  large  quantities  of  the 
"  skin  "  or  hulls  of  grain,  apparently  of  kernels  of  corn  ;  30  seeds  of  poison 
ivy;  large  amount  of  sand  and  gravel;  some  vegetable  fiber  and  mud; 
numerous  but  small  fragments  of  the  hard  parts  of  insects. 

1297.  Female.     Washington,  D.  C.     December  17,  1885;  found  dead.     Dr.  A.  K. 

Fisher. 

Animal  matter,  90  per  cent.;  vegetable,  2 ;  gravel,  etc.,  8.  Stomach  about  one- 
fourth  full. 

Contents.—  One  cocoon  of  some  insect,  and  2  smaller  cocoons,  or  egg-bags  of 
spider ;  12  or  15  small  fragments  of  much-worn  bone,  perhaps  taken  as 
"gravel;"  a  few  bits  of  vegetable  membrane,  apparently  epidermis  of 
some  grain  ;  a  very  small  amount  of  sand  and  gravel. 

1298.  Washington,  D.  C.     December  17,  1885  ;  found  wounded.     Dr.  A.  K.  Fisher. 
Animal  matter,  5 per  cent.;  vegetable,  85  ;  gravel,  etc.,  8;  indeterminate,  2. 
Contents. — Remains  of  3  or  4  kernels  of  corn  and  the  hulls  of  many  more ;  90 

to  100  seeds  of  common  sumach,  apparently  Rhus  glabra  ;  fragments  of 
insects  ;  gravel  and  sand  ;  about  2  per  cent,  of  fine  mud-like  material,  not 
determined. 

1299.  Female.     Washington,  D.  C.     December  19,  1885 ;  4-5  p.  m.     Dr.  A.  K.  Fisher. 
Animal  matter,  1  per  cent.;    vegetable,  80;    gravel,  etc.,  19.     Stomach  well 

filled. 

Contents. — Seven  seeds  of  harmless  sumach ;  a  large  amount  of  vegetable  mat- 
ter, part  of  which  may  be  bits  of  corn,  acorns,  etc.,  but  the  bulk  seems  more 
like  sea- weed  ;  a  few  fragments  of  the  hard  parts  of  insects  ;  a  Large  amount 
of  gravel  and  fine  sand,  with  2  or  3  bits  of  shell. 

1300.  Male.     Washington,  D.  C.     December  19,  1885 ;  4-5  p.  m.     Dr.  A.  K.  Fisher. 
Animal  matter,  0  per  cent  ;    vegetable,  90 ;    gravel,  etc.,  10.    Stomach  well 

filled. 

Contents. — Fragments  of  corn  ;  75  seeds  of  poison  ivy  ;  60  seeds  of  common 
sumach  and  1  seed  of  grape  ;  gravel  and  bits  of  coal  and  brick  ;  no  insect 
remains. 


390  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


130J.   Male.     Washington,  D.  C.     December  19,  1885  ;  4-5  p.  m.     Dr.  A.  K.  Fisher. 

Animal  matter,  trace;  vegetable,  75  per  cent  ;  gravel,  etc.,  24.  Stomach  well 
filled. 

Contents. — "Mast"  (i.  e.,  acorns,  chestnuts  and  similar  material),  and  large 
quantities  of  the  epidermis  of  some  grain,  perhaps  corn  ;  68  seeds  of  poison 
ivy;  large  amount  of  sand,  gravel,  etc.  ;  minute  fragments  of  insects. 

1302.  Male.     Washington,  D.  C.     December  19,  1885  ;  4-5  p.  m.     Dr.  A.  K.  Fisher. 
Animal  matter,  1  per  cent.  ;  vegetable,  85 ;  gravel,  etc.,  14.     Stomach  well  filled. 
Contents. — Fragments  of  many  kernels  of  corn,  and  two  entire  kernels  ;  about 

15  seeds  of  common  sumach  ;  30  seeds  of  poison  ivy  ;  sand,  gravel,  and  5  or 

6  good-sized  bits  of  mother-of-pearl ;  a  few  small  fragments  of  insects,  and 
one  insect  nearly  entire. 

1303.  Female.     Washington,  D.  C.     December  19,  1885  ;  4-5  p.  m.    Dr.  A.  K.  Fisher. 
Animal  matter  1  per  cent.  ;  vegetable,  94  ;  gravel,  etc.,  5.    Stomach  well  filled. 
Contents.— About  20  whole  kernels  of  corn,  and  fragments  of  as  many  more  ; 

7  seeds  of  grape  ;  about  60  seeds  of  common  sumach  ;  5  seeds  of  poison  ivy ; 
gravel,  coal  and  sand  ;  a  few  remains  of  insects. 

1304.  Male.    Washington,  D.  C.     December  19,  1885 ;  4-5  p.  m.     Dr.  A.  K.  Fisher. 
Animal  matter,  5  per  cent.  ;   vegetable,  70 ;   gravel,  etc.,  25.    Stomach  about 

two-thirds  full. 

Contents. — About  10  entire  kernels  of  corn  (without  skins),  and  as  much  more 
in  fragments  ;  2  seeds  of  poison  ivy  ;  gravel,  and  bits  of  coal  ;  about  5  per 
cent,  of  insect  remains. 

1311.  Male.     Washington,  D.  C.     December  23,  1885  ;  4-5  p.  m.     Dr.  A.  K.  Fisher. 
Animal  matter,  10  per  cent.  ;  vegetable,  60 ;  gravel,  etc.,  30.    Stomach  full. 
Contents.— Particles  of  wheat  or  corn,  3  or  4  kernels  in  all ;    100  seeds  of  com- 
mon sumach  ;  remains  of  sea-weeds  and  other  vegetable  matter;  remains 
of  a  few  small  crustaceans  (perhaps  isopods)  ;   fragments  of  mussel  shell 
with  parts  of  the  mussel  attached  ;  minute  pieces  of  insects  ;  considerable 
sand,  and  many  pebbles. 

1312.  Male.     Washington,  D.  C.    December  23,  1885  ;  4-5  p.  m.     Dr.  A.  K.  Fisher. 
Animal  matter,  40  per  cent.  ;  vegetable,  50  ;  gravel,  etc.,  10.     Stomach  full. 
Contents.—  One  kernel  of  corn  nearly  entire,  pieces  of  several  more,  and  a 

large  amount  of  hulls  and  other  vegetable  debris  ;  20  or  25  seeds  of  harm- 
less sumach,  apparently  of  two  species  ;  remains  of  a  small  crab  or  cray- 
fish ;  10  or  12  small  bones  of  a  fish;  numerous  remains  of  insects  (grass- 
hopper legs,  etc.),  and  pieces  of  rnyriapods ;  sand,  gravel,  and  pebbles, 
with  1  or  2  bits  of  shell. 

1313.  Male.     Washington,  D.  C.     December  23,  1885  ;  4-5  p.  m.     H.  W.  Henshaw. 
Animal  matter,  1  per  cent.  ;  vegetable,  15  ;  gravel,  etc.,  70 ;  indeterminate,  14. 

Stomach  full. 

Contents. — Seeds  and  gravel  mainly,  with  a  little  mud  and  fine  vegetable  ref- 
use ;  traces  of  insects  in  addition  to  2  or  3  small  beetles  entire  ;  about  forty 
seeds  of  common  sumach,  and  about  80  of  poison  ivy ;  a  few  small  bits  of 
some  grain,  in  all  equal  to  about  two  kernels  of  wheat  Among  the  gravel 
was  a  small,  worn,  crayfish  claw. 

1314.  Male.     Washington,  D.  C.     December  23,  1885  ;  4-5  p.  m.     H.  W.  Henshaw. 
Animal  matter,  10  per  cent  ;  vegetable,  60 ;  gravel,  etc.,  30.    Stomach  full. 
Contents.— Pieces  of  corn,  perhaps  4  or  5  kernels  in  all ;  bits  of  grass,  hulls, 

vegetable  fiber  of  various  kinds,  and  considerable  fine  "  mud,"  apparently 
all  vegetable  ;  6  or  8  pieces  of  the  carapace  of  a  crayfish  ;  fragments  of  mus- 
sel shell  (  Unio  ?);  many  small  bones  of  common  mouse  (Mus  musculus), 
with  some  of  the  teeth  ;  many  fragments  of  insects,  much  comminuted  ; 
sand,  gravel,  charcoal,  and  one  or  two  imperfect  snail  shells. 

1315.  Male.     Washington,  D.  C.     December  23,  1885  ;  4-5  p.  m.     H.  W.  Henshaw. 
Animal  matter,  1  per  cent  ;   vegetable,  97 ;    gravel,  etc.,  2.     Stomach  well 

filled. 


PLATE  96. 


Northern  Shrike.       2.  Yellow-breasted  Chat. 
3.  Loggerhead  Shrike.    4.  Gray-cheeked  Thrush. 


APPENDIX,  391 


Contents.—  Mainly  kernels  of  corn  whole  or  in  fragments,  and  the  hulls  of 
same  ;  bits  of  the  shell  of  acorns  arid  a  few  bits  of  the  kernel  of  same  ;  4 
seeds  of  poison  ivy  ;  1  seed  of  bind-weed  (Polygonum  ?);  about  100  very 
small,  black  seeds ;  a  very  few  fragments  of  insects ;  a  very  little  gravel  or 
sand. 

1316.  Female.    Washington,  D.  C.     December  23,  1885 ;  4-5  p.  m.     H.  W.  Henshaw. 
Animal  matter,  3  per  cent.  ;  vegetable,  72;  gravel,  etc.,  25.    Stomach  about 

half  full. 

Contents.— A  few  bits  of  corn  and  hulls  of  same ;  pieces  of  grass  and  ver}' 
fine  vegetable  debris,  part  of  it  apparently  the  shell  of  some  bony  seed; 
4  or  5  small  beetle^,  and  minute  portions  of  hard  parts  of  others ;  sand 
and  gravel ;  small  tuft  of  mammal's  hair,  probably  of  cat  or  dog;  frag- 
ments of  one  or  more  legs  of  crayfish  ;  eight  or  ten  kernels  of  wild  rice 
(Zizania  aquatica);  2  unknown  seeds. 

1317.  Female.     Washington,  D.  C.     December  23,  1885  ;  4-5  p.  m.    H.  W.  Henshaw. 
Animal  matter,  2  per  cent.  ;  vegetable,  83  ;  gravel,  etc.,   15.    Stomach  about 

three-fourths  full. 

Contents.—  Mainly  pieces  of  corn  and  hulls  of  same  ;  123  seeds  of  poison  ivy ; 
a  little  fine  vegetable  matter  not  determined  ;  minute  pieces  of  the  hard 
parts  of  insects  ;  gravel  and  fine  sand  form  about  15  per  cent  of  the  en- 
tire contents. 
2528.     Male.     Washington,  D.  C.     December  25,  1886.    F.  A.  Lucas. 

Animal  matter,  5  percent. ;  vegetable,  50;  gravel,  etc.,  25;  indeterminate,  20. 
Stomach  well  filled. 

Contents.—  Remains  of  acorns,  chestnuts,  and  similar  material,  in  small  pieces ; 
about  20  per  cent,  of  other  vegetable  material,  similar  in  color,  but  like 
fine  mud,  and  probably  part  vegetable  and  part  sand;  bones  of  a  small 
fish,  forming  4  or  5  per  cent,  of  contents ;  a  single  leg  of  some  insect,  and 
2  or  3  other  minute  insect  fragments ;  gravel,  consisting  mainly  of  mother- 
of-pearl  and  fine  sand. 
4117.  Female.  East  Hartford,  Conn.  December  15,  1886;  10  a.  m.  C.  C.  Hanrner. 

Animal  matter,  15  percent  ;  vegetable,  60;  gravel,  etc.,  20;  indeterminate,  5. 
Stomach  well  filled. 

Contents. — Remains  of  acorns,  both  shells  and  "  meat ;"  a  few  bits  of  thorn- 
apple  (Cratcegus)  but  no  seeds;  bits  of  grass  and  finally  divided  vegetable 
matter ;  a  considerable  amount  of  fine,  dark  hair,  probably  of  mouse ; 
perhaps  5  per  cent  of  insect  remains ;  a  large  amount  of  pebbles  and 
sand ;  about  5  per  cent,  of  fine  "mud"  not  determined. 

RESULTS  IN  DETAILS  OF  THE  EXAMINATION  OF  STOMACHS  OF  THE  FISH  CROW 

(Corvus  ossifragus). 

1332.  Male.    Washington,  D.  C.    March  16,  1886 ;  4  p.  m.     Dr.  A.  K.  Fisher. 
Animal  matter,  5  per  cent. ;  vegetable,  93  ;  gravel,  etc.,  2.    Stomach  full. 
Contents. — Eleven  seeds  of  cat-brier  (/Smilax  glauca) ;  2  seeds  of  sour  gum 

(Nyssa  multiflora};  a  few  bits  of  corn  and  many  hulls,  together  with  other 
fibrous  vegetable  matter  ;  2  small  masses  of  animal  fiber,  apparently  flesh 
'      of  some  mammal ;  single  feather,  probably  of  chicken  ;  a  very  little  sand, 
etc. ;  no  insect  remains. 

1333.  Female.     Washington,  D.  C.     March  16,  1886  ;  4  p.  m.     Dr.  A.  K.  Fisher. 
Animal  matter,  10  per  cent.  ;   vegetable,  88;  gravel,  etc.,  2.    Stomach  about 

half  full. 

Contents. — Two  or  three  kernels  of  corn,  and  hulls  of  more,  with  some  other 
vegetable  matter  ;  bone  of  some  mammal  (probably  taken  with  gravel);  2 
or  3  feathers,  kind  not  determined  ;  among  the  gravel  was  a  bit  of  shell 
(of  Unio?)  and  several  bits  of  egg-shell  (hen's);  no  insects. 


392  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

1334.  Female.     Washington,  D.  C.     March  16,  1886;  4  p.  m.    Dr.  A.  K.  Fisher. 
Animal  matter,  98  per  cent. ;  vegetable,  trace ;  gravel,  etc.,  2.     Stomach  about 

one-third  full. 

Contents. — A  mass  of  meat  and  sinews,  doubtless  carrion  ;  a  very  few  small 
bits  of  coal  and  sand,  and  one  or  two  bits  of  egg-shell  (hen's);  a  very  few 
vegetable  fibers,  perhaps  of  grass ;  no  insects. 

1335.  Male,    Washington,  D.  C.     March  16,  1886 ;  4  p.  m.     Dr.  A.  K.  Fisher. 
Animal  matter,  75  per  cent  ;  vegetable,  5 ;  gravel,  etc.,  20.    Stomach  about 

one-third  full. 

Contents. — Shreds  of  meat,  and  strips  and  small  sheets  of  animal  membrane; 
not  identifiable,  doubtless  carrion;  a  few  bits  of  grass  and  woody  fiber; 
particles  of  sand  and  pebbles,  and  numerous  small  pieces  of  egg  shell 
(hens),  together  with  fragments  of  a  mussel  shell  (  Unio  ?),  and  2  small 
bones,  apparently  mammalian,  but  discolored  and  probably  taken  as 
gravel;  no  insects. 

1336.  Washington,  D.  C.     March  16,  1886 ;  4  p.  m.     Dr.  A.  K.  Fisher. 

Animal  matter,  5  per  cent  ;  vegetable,  75  ;  gravel,  etc.,  5;  indeterminate,  15. 
Stomach  about  half  lull. 

Contents. — Mainly  remnants  of  oats  with  the  hulls,  and  corn  in  fine  pieces ;  a 
little  meat  fiber ;  a  few  downy  feathers ;  3  or  four  unknown  seeds;  some 
sand  and  gravel  and  bits  of  egg  shell  (hen's)  ;  no  insects. 

657.   Female.    Immature.    Sing  Sing,  N.  Y.    September  10,  1885;  6.30  a.  m.     Dr. 
A.  K.  Fisher. 

Animal  matter,  C ;  vegetable,  100.    Stomach  half  full. 

Contents.— Fragments  of  oats,  pieces  of  acorns  or  chestnuts ;  unrecognizable 

vegetable  matter ;  no  traces  of  animal  matter. 
2529.    Male.    Washington,  D.  C.,  November  1,  1886.    F.  A.  Lucas. 

Animal  matter,  10  per  cent  ;  vegetable,  90;  gravel,  etc.,  0.  Stomach  about 
two-thirds  full. 

Contents. — Seeds,  pulp,  and  skins  of  about  20  poke-berries  (Phytolacca  decan- 
dra)  ;  remains  of  two  or  three  grasshoppers,  and  perhaps  other  insects ; 
no  gravel. 
2284.     Male.    Washington,  D.  C.,  November  1,  1886;  3  p.  m.    F.  A.  Lucas. 

Animal  matter,  65  per  cent ;  vegetable,  30 ;  gravel,  etc.,  5.    Stomach  well  filled. 

Contents.—  Five  grape  seeds,  pieces  of  grape  skins,  many  fragments  of  grass- 
hoppers (and  otner  insects?),  a  little  sand,  bits  of  egg  shell,  one  scale  from 
shell  of  tortoise,  probably  all  taken  as  gravel. 
2302.   Female.     Washington,  D.  C.,  November  7,  1886;  4.30  p.  m.    H.  W.  Henshaw, 

Animal  matter,  35  percent  ;  vegetable,  65 ;  gravel,  etc.,  0.    Stomach  well  filled. 

Contents.—  Seeds  and  skins  of  about  20  small  grapes,  apparently  "  frostgrapes" 

(Vitis  cordifolia)  ;  about  130  seeds  of  poke-berry  {Phytolacca)  ;  heads, 

wings,  and  legs  of  several  grasshoppers ;  no  gravel  or  sand  except  one 

small  piece  of  mica. 

2583.     Male.    Washington,  D.  C.,  November  19,  1886;  9.30  a.  m.     William  Dutcher. 

Animal  matter,  50  per  cent  ;  vegetable,  50;  gravel,  etc.,  0.  Stomach  nearly 
empty. 

Contents. — Three  seeds  of  poke-berry  and  one  or  more  skins  of  same;  3  seeds 

of  red  cedar  (Juniperus  virginiana)  ;  no  insect  remains ;  no  gravel. 
1310.   Male.    Washington,  D.  C.     December  23,  1885 ;  4-05  p.  m.    Dr.  A.  K.  Fisher. 

Animal  matter,  1  per  cent;  vegetable,  96:  gravel,  etc.,  3.  Stomach  about 
half  full. 

Contents. — Two  or  three  grains  of  wheat,  and  many  fragments  of  this  or  other 
grain  ;  2  seeds  of  Virginia  juniper ;  many  fragments  of  some  black,  bony 
seed,  looking  much  like  ground  coffee  ;  2  or  3  small  "pin  feathers"  still 
inclosed  in  the  sheath  except  at  tip  ;  many  small  fragments  of  egg-shell 
(hen's)  ;  a  very  little  sand,  and  1  bit  of  stone  ;  no  trace  of  insect  remains. 


Plate  97. 


1,  2.  Black-tbroated  Blue  Warbler,    Male  and  Female. 

3.  BlMk-throated  Green  Warbler.  4.  Parula  Warbler.  Males. 


APPENDIX.  393 


318.    Female.     Washington,  D.  C.     December  25,  1885  ;  4-05  p.  m.     Dr.  A.  K.  Fisher. 

Animal  matter,  50  percent. ;  vegetable,  50  ;  gravel,  etc.,  0. 

Contents. — Meat  (probably  carrion)  ;  8  seeds  of  sour  gum  (Nyssamultiflora)  ; 
4  seeds  of  flowering  dogwood,  1  seed  oi  grape,  5  seeds  of  hackberry 
(Celtis  occidentalism  ;  2  unknown  seeds ;  no  gravel  or  insect  remains. 


394  BIRDS  OF  PENNS  YL  VA NIA. 


THE  ENGLISH  SPARROW. 


[Extracts  from  Bulletin  No.  1.  U.  S.  Department  of  Agriculture,  Division  of  Economic  Ornithology 
and  Mammalogy.  Prepared  under  the  direction  of  Dr.  C.  HART  MEKRIAM,  Ornithologist,  by  WALTER 
B.  BARROWS,  Assistant  Ornithologist.  J 


RELATION  OF  THE  SPARROW  TO  OTHER  BIRDS. 

This  is  one  of  the  most  important  branches  of  the  sparrow  investigation,  and  it  is 
believed  that  the  evidence  collected  and  published  herewith  is  ample  for  the  final 
settlement  of  this  much  vexed  question.  More,  than  a  thousand  original  contribu- 
tions to  our  knowledge  of  this  subject  have  been  received  at  the  department,  and  all 
the  available  published  testimony  has  also  been  consulted,  and  selections  from  this 
have  been  printed.  No  pains  have  been  spared  in  collecting  evidence  on  both  sides 
of  the  question ;  and  when  it  became  apparent  that  a  large  part  of  the  testimony 
which  was  coming  in  was  against  the  sparrow,  a  special  effort  was  made  to  induce 
friends  of  the  bird  to  come  forward  with  facts  or  theories  to  offset  this  damaging 
evidence.  As  a  result,  a  mass  of  testimony  has  been  brought  together  which  it  is 
believed  far  exceeds  in  amount  and  value  anything  ever  before  collected,  and  it  is 
now  submitted  to  the  public  with  perfect  confidence  that  no  candid  reader  will  ever 
again  deny  that  the  sparrow  molests  our  native  birds,  and  in  many  cases  drives  them 
away  from  our  gardens  and  parks.  No  one  should  be  content  to  read  simply  the 
brief  summary  presented  at  this  place,  but  should  turn  directly  to  the  evidence  itself, 
and  satisfy  himself  that  the  case  is  as  here  represented. 

The  nature  of  the  evidence  is  such  that  it  is  impossible  to  summarize  it  satisfac- 
torily, but  the  following  brief  synopsis  of  matter  contributed  directly  to  the  depart- 
ment will  show  something  of  its  extent : 

Total  number  of  original  reports  submitted 1,048 

In  the  main  favorable  to  the  sparrow 168 

In  the  main  unfavorable  to  the  sparrow 837 

Indeterminate 43 

This  would  indicate  that  about  one-fifth  of  the  evidence  submitted  is  favorable  to 
the  sparrow;  but  if  we  exclude  from  the  evidence  all  of  those  reports  which  consist 
simply  of  the  answers  yes  or  no  to  the  questions  asked  on  the  printed  circulars,  the 
percentage  of  favorable  replies  will  be  still  further  decreased. 

Two  hundred  and  eighty-one  reports  were  received  which  gave  little  or  no  evi- 
dence on  this  subject  further  than  these  monosyllabic  replies,  while  the  seven  hun- 
dred and  sixty-seven  remaining  reports  gave  illustrations  of  the  hostile  or  peaceful 
relations  of  the  birds,  or  at  least  mentioned  some  species  which  were  not  molested. 

Of  these  seven  hundred  and  sixty-seven  reports  only  forty-two  are  entirely,  or 
even  mainly,  favorable  to  the  sparrow ;  seven  hundred  and  twenty-five  of  them  con- 
taining evidence  unquestionably  against  the  sparrow,  and  most  of  it  of  the  most 
damaging  kind. 

This  estimate,  therefore,  which  seems  to  us  much  nearer  the  truth  than  the  first, 
shows  that  about  one-eighteenth  of  the  reports  received  are  favorable  to  the  sparrow 
as  regards  its  relation  to  other  birds,  butit  should  not  be  inferred  by  any  means  that, 
therefore,  even  one-eighteenth  of  the  evidence  is  favorable. 

About  one  witness  in  eighteen  has  testified  for  the  sparrow,  but  each  juror  must 
decide  for  himself  as  to  the  weight  to  be  given  to  each  piece  of  evidence.  For  our 
own  part,  after  careful  consideration  of  each  bit  of  testimony  presented,  we  believe 
that  the  proportion  of  one  hundred  to  one  against  the  sparrow  is  the  most  favorable 
estimate  which  any  unprejudiced  person  is  likely  to  make. 


APPENDIX. 


395 


LIST  OF  NATIVE  BIRDS  MOLESTED  BY  THE  SPARROW. 

The  following  table  gives  the  names  of  species  which  the  sparrow  is  reported  to 
molest,  and  the  number  of  such  reports  in  each  case: 


Reports 
Bluebird  (Sialiasialis) 377 

*  Western  bluebird  (Sialia  mexicana) 1 

Robin  (Merulamigratoria) 182 

Hermit  thrush  (Turdus  aonalaschkce  pallasii). 

Wood  thrush  (Turdus  mustelinus) 

Thrushes,  species  not  indicated, 1 

Golden-crowned  kniglet  (Regulussatrapa),  ...  , 

Chickadee  (Pants  atricapillus), 

Titmouse,  species  not  indicated 

Tomtit,  species  not  indicated 

White-bellied  nuthatch  (Sitta  carolinensis),    . 

Nuthatch,  species  not  indicated 

House  wren  (Troglodytes  cedon) 64 

*Parkman's  wren  ( Troglodytes  cedon  parkmannii),     1 
Carolina  wren  (Thryothorus  ludomcianus),    ...     6 

Bewick's  wren(Thryothorusbewickii), 2 

Wren,  species  not  indicated 116 

Brown  thrasher  ( Harporhynchus  rufus) 8 

Catbird  (Galeoscoptes  carolinensis)      33 

Mockingbird  (Mimus  polyglottos) 50 

Redstart  (Setophaga  ruticilla) 1 

Yellow  warbler  (Dendroicacesiiva), 11 

Myrtle  warbler  (Dendroica  cononata) 1 

Warblers,  species  not  indicated 15 

Red-eyed  vireo  (Vireo  olivaceus) 2 

Warbling  vireo  (Vireo  gilv  us), 3 

White-eyed  vireo  (Vireo  no  veboracensis) 1 

Vireos,  species  not  indicated 9 

Cedar  bird,  cherry  bird  tAmpelis  cedrorum),     .  .     4 
Purple  martin,  black  martin  (Progne  subis),    .  .   65 

Martins,  species  not  indicated,     198 

Cliff  swallow,  mud  swallow  (Petrochelidon  luni- 

frons) 26 

B:irn  swallow  ( Chelidon  erythrogaster) 24 

White-bellied  swallow,  blue-backed  swallow 

(Tachycinetabicolor) 40 

*  Violet-green  swallow  ( Tachycineta  thalassina).     1 

Bank  swallow  (CM vicola  riparia) 2 

Rough-winged    swallow    ( SUlgidopteryx    serri 

pennis) 1 

Swallows,  species  not  indicated 84 


Tanager,  species  not  indicated 1 

Indigo  bird  (Passerina  cyanea) 5 

*  Pain  ted  flnch,  nonpareil  (Passerina  ciris),     .  .  2 

Grosbeaks,  species  not  indicated ] 

Cardinal  (Cardinalis  cardinalis) 1 

Red  bird,  species  not  indicated II 

Brown  towhee,  species  not  Indicated 1 

Che  wink  (Pipilo  erythrophthalmus) ] 

Song  sparrow  (Melospiza  fasciata) 26 

Chipping  sparrow,  chippy  (Spizella socialis),    .  .  72 

Field  sparrow  (Spizella  pusilla) 2 

Tree  sparrow  ( Spizella  monticola) 5 

In  addition  to  the  birds  specifically  mentioned  in  the  foregoing  list,  many  other 
reports  have  been  received  alleging  attacks  on  birds,  but  not  mentioning  the  species 
so  molested.  Thus  sixty-five  reports  mentioned  molestation  of  " native  birds;" 
forty-eight  reports  speak  of  "other  birds'*  being  driven  off  ;  seventy-eight  reports 
state  that  the  sparrow  molests  or  drives  off  "  nearly  all  species  ;"  twenty-eight  claim 
a  similar  effect  on  "all  small  birds  ;"  five  claim  the  same  for  "yard  birds,"  and  two 
for  "  domestic  birds." 


Reports 

Common  sparrow,  species  not  indicated 19 

Native  sparrow,  species  not  indicated 16 

Ground  sparrow,  species  not  indicated, 7 

Other  sparrows,  species  not  indicated 39 

Savanna  sparrow  (Ammodramus  sandwichensis 

savanna) 

Grass  flnch,  vesper  sparrow(Pooco;£es  gramineus).  2 

Grass  bird,  species  not  indicated 1 

Snowbirds  (Junco  sp.  ?), 13 

Gold  Finch    j 

Yellow-bird  >  ( Spinus  tristis ) 32 

Wild  canary  ) 

*  Arkansas  goldfinch  (Spinus  psaltria) 1 

Red-poll  (Acanthis  linaria).  .- i 

Purple  flnch  (Carpodacus  purpureus) 6 

House  flnch  (Carpodacus  frontulis) 3 

Other  finches,  species  not  indicated 4 

Linnet,  species  not  indicated i 

Purple  grackle  (Quiscalus  quiscula) 2 

Grackles,  species  not  indicated,    .  '. 5 

Baltimore  oriole  (Icterus  galbula) 37 

Orchard  oriole  ( Icterus  spurius) 

Orioles,  species  not  indicated 

Meadow-lark  (Sturnellamagna) 

Red-winged  blackbird  (Agelaius  phteniceus), 

Blackbirds,  species  not  indicated 

Bobolink  (Dolichonyx  oryzivorus) 

Shore  lark  (Otocoris  alpestris) 

Blue  jay,  jay  (Cyanocitta  cristata) 

Crows,  species  not  indicated,     ......  .5 

Least  pewee  (Empidonax  minimus) 3 

Woodpewee  (Contopus  virens) l 

Phoebe  (Sayornis  phcebe) .  .  .  SB 

Great  crested  fly-catcher  ( Myiarchus  crinitus),  .  1 
Kingbird        j 

Bee  martin  V  Tyrannus  tyrannus ) 17 

Bee-bird        3 

Flycatchers,  species  not  indicated 8 

Insectivorous  birds,  species  not  indicated,    ...  5 

Song  birds,  species  not  indicated 31 

Hummingbird  (Trochilus  colubris) ] 

Chimney  swallow  or  swift  ( Chcetura  pelagica).    .  3 
Red-headed    woodpecker   (Melanerpcs   erythro- 

cephalus) 3 

Yellow-bellied  woodpecker  (Sphyrapicus  varius ),  ] 

Sapsucker.  species  not  indicated 2 

Downy  woodpecker  (Dryobates  pubescens).    ...  8 

Hairy  woodpecker  (Dryobates  viltosus) l 

Goldenwinged  woodpecker  flicker  (Colaptes  aura- 

tus) 3 

Woodpeckers,  species  not  indicated 6 

Yellow-billed  cuckoo  (Coccyzus  americanust,  .   .  I 


*  Indicates  species  not  found  in  Pennsylvania.— B.  H.  WARREN. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


Ten  observers  report  attacks  upon  domesticated  doves  or  pigeons,  and  one  each  on 
hens  and  chickens. 

It  will  thus  be  seen  that  the  reports  mention  specifically  seventy  kinds  of  wild 
birds  which  are  known  to  be  molested  more  or  less  by  the  sparrow.  A  majority  of 
these  birds  are  species  which  nest  about  houses  and  gardens,  and,  with  the  exception 
of  the  crow,  jay,  and  possibly  one  or  two  others,  all  are  decidedly  beneficial  to  the 
farmer  and  gardener. 

Naturally  the  birds  most  affected  are  those  whose  nesting  habits  are  similar  to  those 
of  the  sparrow  ;  that  is,  which  nest  mainly  in  boxes  provided  for  them  ;  in  cavities  or 
cornices  of  buildings ;  under  the  eaves  of  barns  or  outhouses,  or  in  the  natural  cavities 
of  trees. 

Thus,  in  a  total  of  about  1,860  complaints,  we  find  that  more  than  half  relate  to 
martins,  swallows,  wrens  and  bluebirds,  whose  nests  or  nesting  places  are  coveted 
by  the  sparrow. 

But  in  most  places  the  sparrows  since  outgrew  such  accommodations  and  were 
compelled  to  build  nests  among  the  branches  of  trees,  like  other  birds  ;  and  at  once 
such  bulky  nests  as  those  of  the  robin,  catbird,  etc.,  were  seized  upon  and  utilized 
either  as  building  material  or  as  foundation  for  new  nests.  Thus  new  quarrels  have 
been  continually  originating,  and  the  sparrow  has  been  steadily  encroaching  on  the 
territory  of  other  birds.  Although  a  large  part  of  the  trouble  with  native  birds  has 
doubtless  arisen  from  questions  over  nesting  places,  still  there  is  abundance  of 
testimony  that  the  sparrow  molests  birds  under  other  circumstances. 

Nearly  one-third  of  all  the  complaints  of  injury  to  other  birds  relate  to  species  whose 
nesting  and  food  habits  are  very  different  from  those  of  the  sparrow,  and  whose 
relations  with  this  bird  might  reasonably  be  expected  to  be  peaceful  and  pleasant. 
Among  such  may  be  mentioned  the  mockingbird,  chipping  sparrow,  song  sparrow, 
goldfinch,  Baltimore  oriole,  yellow  warbler  and  vireos.  Of  course  many  of  these 
birds,  as  well  as  those  previously  mentioned,  offer  more  or  less  resistance  to  the 
advances  of  the  sparrow,  but  in  most  cases  the  resistance  is  useless  and  the  native 
birds  are  compelled  to  retire  from  the  field  sooner  or  later. 


Plate  98. 


1.  Hooded  Warbler.     v  '      2 
0    rr  Males. 

3.  Kentucky  Warbler. 


\le  Warbler. 
4.  Blockburnian  Warbler. 


APPENDIX. 


397 


CONTENTS  OP  STOMACHS  OF  ENGLISH  SPARROWS  (Passer  domesticus). 

[Examined  at  West  Chester,  Pa. .  by  Dr.  B.  H.  Warren.  Prof.  C.  B.  Cochran  and  BenJ.  M.  Bverhart.  ] 


CE1 

1EA1 

_S. 

1 

Catalogue  number. 

Age. 

Date  of 
capture. 

Locality. 

Wheat. 

1 

Corn  (maize). 

Fruit  and  fruit  seed. 

• 

•5 

Weed  seed. 

Undetermined  vege 
matter. 

1 

"Z. 

Buds  and  blossoms. 

Insect 
food. 

Remarks. 

1 

Adult 

1879. 
Mar.  13. 

Chester  co.  .  Pa.  ,  . 

2 

do 

Mar   — 

do 

3 

do 

do. 

do. 

( 

do 

4 

do. 

do. 

do. 

* 

Blades  of  grass. 

5 

do 

do. 

do 

* 

Clover  seed 

do. 

do. 

do. 

* 

do. 

• 

do 

do 

do 

g 

do 

do. 

do. 

* 

Clover  seed. 

q 

do 

do 

do 

4 

do 

10 

do 

do. 

do. 

* 

* 

Small  black  seed 

11 
12 

13 

do.     . 
do.     . 

1880. 
Mar.     1, 

Mar.     3. 

do 

do. 
do. 
do 

* 

* 

• 

• 

« 

1  beetle.  . 

White  corn   and 
small  seed. 
Few    small  black 
seeds. 

14 

Adult. 

do. 

do. 

» 

, 

matter. 
Blossoms  of  pear; 

15 
16 

do.     . 
do 

do. 
Mar.     4. 

do. 
do. 

» 

, 

. 

. 

• 

seed  of    bitter- 
weed. 

Small  seeds 

17 
18 
19 
20 

do.     . 
do.     . 
do.    . 

Mar.  12. 
Mar.  15. 
Mar.  22. 
Mar.     5. 

do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 

* 

• 

* 

Mar.    6, 

do. 

* 

* 

Small  black  seeds. 

22 

do. 

do 

Q 

23 

Mar.  20, 

do. 

* 

Small   seeds   and 

24 

1879. 
Apr.     3 

do 

t 

^ 

blades  of  grass 
Seeds  of  bitter 

25 

Apr.     5. 

do 

^ 

^ 

weed. 

Apr.     9. 

do. 

» 

do 

27 
28 

Apr.  25, 
do. 

do. 
do. 

* 

.. 

; 

White  corn. 

29 

Apr    26 

do 

f 

* 

30 

Apr.  30. 

do 

, 

31 

do. 

do. 

* 

* 

Small  black  seeds 

3? 

1880. 
Apr.   17. 

do. 

( 

33 
34 



Apr.  20. 
Apr.  23. 

do. 
do. 

* 

+ 

Seeds. 
Small  black  seeds 

36 

Apr.  27. 
do. 

do. 

v 

I 

• 

* 

White  corn 

37 
38 

do. 
Apr.  29. 

West  Chester.  Pa.  , 
do. 

* 

. 



Small  seeds. 
Small  black  seeds. 

39 
40 

May     6. 
do. 

do. 
do. 

•11 

do. 

do. 

4? 

do. 

do. 

May     7, 

do. 

Q 

* 

44 

May     8, 

do 

few  black  seeds. 

45 

do. 

do. 

ir- 

do. 

do 

47 
48 
49 
50 

do. 
do. 
do. 
do 

do. 
do. 
do. 
do 

51 
52 
53 
54 

do. 
May     9. 
do. 
do. 

do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 

55 

May   20, 

do. 

* 

66 

do 

do 

* 

do 

57 

do. 

do. 

» 

White  corn 

58 

May   23 

do 

59 

til 

May  25. 
May   29, 
do. 
do. 

do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 

* 

: 

* 

insects. 

398 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


CONTENTS  OF  STOMACHS  OF  ENGLISH  SPARROWS—  Continued. 


Catalogue  number. 

Age. 

Date  of 
capture. 

! 
- 

Locality. 

CEREALS. 

Fruit  and  fruit  seed. 

Grass  seed. 

Weed  seed.  | 

Undetermined  vegetable 
matter. 

I 

1 

i 
« 

Buds  and  blossoms. 

Insect 
food. 

Remarks. 

Wheat. 

' 

Corn  (maize). 

63 
64 

65 
66 
67 
68 

69 

70 
71 

72 
73 
74 

75 

76 

77 
78 

79 
80 
81 
82 
83 
84 
85 
86 
87 
88 
89 
90 
91 
92 
93 
94 

95 

96 
97 
98 
99 

100 
101 
102 
103 
104 

105 
106 
107 
108 
109 
110 
111 
112 

113 
114 

1880. 
May   29, 
do. 
1879. 
June    8, 
do. 
June  20, 
June  15, 

do. 
1880. 
Sept.   4, 
Sept.   5, 
do. 
Sept.   7, 
Sept.  13, 

do. 
Sept.  22, 
do. 
do. 

do. 
do. 
Oct.    14, 
Oct.    15, 
Nov.  13. 
do. 
do. 
Nov.  17, 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
Dec.    2, 
Dec.    9, 
Dec.  15, 
Dec.  29, 
1881. 
Jan.     4. 
Jan.   20, 
Jan.   23, 
do. 
do. 
1882. 
July     8. 
June    1. 
do. 
do. 
do. 

do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
June  12. 
do. 
do. 
do. 

do. 
do. 

West  Chester,  Pa.  , 

Stomach  empty. 

Ginger-bread  and 
green  vegetable 
matter. 
Ginger-bread. 

Green  leaves. 

Seed   of    fox-tail 
grass, 
do. 
do. 

Oats  and  barley. 

Apple. 
Orange-peel. 

24  grains  of  wheat 

Small  seeds. 
Green  vegetable 
substance, 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
Stomach  empty, 
do. 
Clover  seed.      ' 
Green  vegetable 
substance. 
Small  mass  of 
cooked  beef. 
Stomach  empty. 

do. 

do. 
do. 
do.      « 
do. 

do. 

do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 

do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 

do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 

do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 

do. 
West  Bradford,  Pa. 
do. 
do. 
do. 

do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 

do. 
do. 

* 

* 

Adult,  ! 
Young, 

* 

» 

* 

* 



* 

* 

I.; 

* 

1  potato 
beetle. 
Flies. 

* 

* 

„ 

* 

* 

* 
* 

'.       '.   '. 

.  ! 

* 
* 

*** 

* 

:  :  :  :  : 

* 

* 

* 

( 

:  :  :  :  : 

"*" 

. 

* 

.  . 

• 

•  • 

* 

* 

•^' 

Nestling 
do. 

2  flies  ;  3 
aptera. 

APPENDIX.  399 


[Notes  by  Dr.  B.  H.  Warren.] 

The  various  vegetable  materials  named  in  the  records  given  on  pages  397  and  398, 
are,  with  a  few  exceptions,  included  in  the  following  list : 

Oats  (Avena  sativa). 

Wheat  (  Triticum  vulgare). 

Rye  (Secale  cereale). 

Corn,  maize  (Zea  Mays). 
Grass  seed,   Clover  seed,  Small  seeds,  etc.,  refer  mainly  to  the  following  : 

Red  clover  (  Trifolium  pratense). 

White  clover  (Trifolium  repens). 

Timothy  (Phleum pratense'). 

Bitter-weed  (Ambrosia  artemisicefolia). 

Fox-tail  grass  (Setaria  glauca).      Seed's  of  other  species  of  Setaria  are  also  fed 

upon. 
Buds  and  blossoms  were  chiefly  of  the  following  kinds  : 

Pear  (Pyrus  communis). 

Plum  (Prunus  domestica). 

Cherry  (Cerasus  avium). 

Grape  (Vitis). 

Maple  (Acer}. 

Black  Haw  (Viburnum prunifolium). 
In  a  few  cases  remains  of  the  following  vegetables  were  present : 

Lima  Bean  (Phaseolus  lunatus). 

String  Bean  (Phaseolus  vulgaris). 

Garden  Pea  (Pisum  sativum). 

Numerous  complaints  are  made  by  our  citizens  as  to  the  destruction  caused  by 
sparrows  to  growing  pea-vines. 


400 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


SOME  NOCTTJRAL  MIGRANTS. 


BY  MAJ.  A.  G.    WOLF,  Keeper  of   Absecom  Light-house,   Absecom,  Atlantic 

City,  New  Jersey. 


LIST  OF  BIRDS  STRIKING  LANTERN  OF  ABSECOM  LIGHT  HOUSE,  ATLANTIC  CITY, 
N.  J.,  FROM  AUGUST  22,  1889,  to  NOVEMBER  30,  1889. 


• 

NAME  OF  BIRD. 

I 

u 

_c 

a 

to 

<w 

o 

I 

BIKDS  STRIK- 
i  N  G  LAN- 
TERN   OP 
TOWER. 

Direction  and  force 
of  wind. 

1 
|§ 

o  a 

|s 

|! 

Cloudy  . 
Rain. 

Cloudy. 

in 
Clear. 

Rain. 

Number 
striking. 

Number 
killed. 

Sharp-tailed  Finch,     .  .   . 

Aug.    22. 
Aug.    23, 
Sept.   18, 

"  * 

Sept.  19. 

Sept.  21. 
Sept.  22. 

Sept.  23. 

Sep..  24. 
Sept.  26. 
Sept.   27, 

11   p.  m.. 
10.55  p.   m., 
8  p.   m., 

8.30  p.   m.. 

9  p.   m., 
11.20  p.   m., 

3.15  a.    m., 
3.40  a.    m.. 

8.30  p.    m.. 
10.50  p.    m.. 

9  p.   m.. 

10.30  p.   m.. 
2.30  a.   m.. 

10  p.   m.. 
2.30  a.    m.. 

3.10  a.    m.. 
.. 
9.50  p.    m.. 

9  p.   m., 
1.30  a.    m.. 

2 
6 
43 
4 
6 
2 
1 

'J 

20 
5 
1 
2 
1 
4 
3 
1 
1 
2 
5 
1 
15 
3 
1 
2 
4 
1 
7 
6 
2 
7 
1 
1 
2 

1 
3 
1 
2 
1 
13 
4 
1 
1 
10 
2 
5 
o 

2 
1 
3 

2 
2 
2 
25 
3 
2 
1 
1 

0 
t 

10 
1 
1 
2 
1 
1 
1 
0 
7 
1 
1 
0 
1 
1 
3 
1 
0 
0 
0 

1 

4 

1 
1 
0 
0 

1 

0 

1 

0 

1 

0 

1 

0 

1 
1 
0 
3 
0 
0 
1 
1 
0 
0 
1 

0 

1 

0 
0 
0 
3 
0 
0 
0 
0 
4 
0 

1 

NW.  ,  light,  . 
East,  light,  .  .   . 
W.,  NW.,  light, 

NW..  light,  .   .    . 

West,  light,     .  . 
•  *        •  . 

! 

NW..  light,  .  .'  . 

E.,NE..moder'e, 
NW..  light,      .    . 

Small  Beach  Snipe  

Red-eyed  Vireo,    . 

Blue  Yellow-  back  Warbler,    .  .   . 
Reedbird, 

Connecticut  Warbler 

Red-throated  Woodpecker,    .  .   . 
Red-eyed  Vireo  

Blue  Yellow-back  Warbler,   .  .  . 
Cedarbird,    

Red-eyed  Vireo, 

Reedbird   

Yellow-shafted  Flicker 

Rose-breasted  Grosbeak,     .... 

Maryland  Yellow-throat,     .... 
Red-eyed  Vireo  

English  Sparrow,  . 

Brown  Thrush,  

Olive-backed  Thrush, 

Blue  Yellow-back  Warbler.   .  .   . 
Connecticut  Warbler  
Maryland  Yellow  Throat  
Reedbird 

Black-throated  Blue  Warbler.  .  . 
English  Sparrow  
Scarlet  Tanager,   

Chestnut-sided  Warbler  
Red-eyed  Vireo  

Maryland  Yellow-throat  
Golden  Crowned  Thrush  
Olive-backed  Thrush,    . 

Creeping  Warbler  

Connecticut  Warbler  
Catbird  

Maryland  Yellow-throat  
Reedbird    

Olive-backed  Thrush  
Herring  Gull  
Maryland  Yellow-throat  
Sharp-tailed  Finch  

Red-eyed  Vireo              .      .  . 

Olive-backed  Thrush  

Cedarbird                     

Scarlet  Tanager  

Red-eyed  Vireo  
Golden  Crowned  Thrush  
Blue  Yellow-back  Warbler.    .  .   . 
Catbird  

Red-eyed  Vireo  
Maryland  Yellow-throat  
Small  Beach  Snipe  :   .   . 
Red-eyed  Vireo  

Olive-backed  Thrush  
Maryland  Yellow-throat  
Cedarbird,              

Red-eyed  Vireo 

Olive-backed  Thrush  
English  Sparrow  
Yellow-shafted  Flicker  
Rfijich  Snioe.   . 

APPENDIX. 


401 


NOCTURAL  MIGRANTS—  Continued. 


NAME  OF  BIRD. 

. 

Hour  of  striking. 

BIRDS  STHIK- 
ING   LAN- 
TERN    OF 
TOWER. 

Direction  and  force 
of  wind. 

Weather:  clear,  fog, 
rain,  or  snow. 

Number 
striking. 

h 

®    . 

n-o 

J» 

Red-eyed  Vireo  

Sept.  27. 

Sept.  29, 
Sept.  30. 

Oct.  1, 
Oct.  2, 

Oct.  25, 
Oct.  28, 

Oct.  30, 

Nov.^  13, 
Nov.  30. 

3.10  a.    in.. 
9  p.   m., 

11   p.   m., 
10.30  p.   m., 

11.05  p.   m., 
2  a.    m., 

3.25  a.    m.. 
10  p.   ni.. 

10.30  p.    in., 
2.30  a.    m., 

3.35  a.   m., 
9  p.   m., 
9.30  p.  m., 

3  a.    m., 
10.50  p.   m., 

11   p.   m.. 
11.20  p.   m., 

7 

1 

2 

1 

2 
2 
1 
6 
3 
2 
3 
-  1 
5 
2 
1 
14 
8 
2 

8 

1 
•  6 
2 
5 
2 
I 

0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 

1 

0 
1 
1 

3 
2 

1 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 

I 

1 

0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 

1 

3 
0 

0 
0 

NW..  light,  .  .  . 
NW.,  moderate, 

West,  moderate, 

SW..  moderate, 

SW.,  light,  .  .  . 
West,  light,  .  . 

NW.  .  light,  .  .'  .' 

B.,  SB.,  light,"  '. 
West,  light,  .  . 

N.,  NW..  light.' 
West,  light,  .  . 

NW..  moderate, 
NW.,  light,  .  .  . 

Clear. 
Cloudy  . 

Fair. 
Clear. 
Cloudy. 

Clear. 

Maryland  Yellow-throat  
Catbird  
Scarlet  Tanager  
Olive-backed  Thrush  
Maryland  Yellow-  throat  
Connecticut  Warbler. 

Catbird  

Cedarbird 

Golden  Crowned  Kinglet  
Creeping  Warbler  
Yellow-breasted  Chat  
Yellow-rump  Warbler,  
Blue-winged  Teal  (Duck).  .  .•  .  . 
Red  eyed  Vireo  
Reedbtrd 

Maryland  Yellow-throat,  .... 
Yellow-rump  Warbler  
Olive-backed  Thrush  
Catbird  

Maryland  Yellow-throat  
Black-throated  Blue  Warbler,  .  . 
Scarlet  Tanager  

Connecticut  Warbler, 

Yellow-rump  Warbler  

Golden-crowned  Thrush  
English  Sparrow,  

Cedarbird, 

Yellow-rump  Warbler,  
Olive-backed  Thrush  
Little  Gull  (tern),  ... 

Maryland  Yellow-throat  
Yellow-rump  Warbler. 

Catbird,  ...  

Yellow-rump  Warbler,  

Olive-  backed  Thrush  
Golden-crowned  Kinglet,  .... 
Maryland  Yellow-throat  
English  Sparrow  
Beach  Snipe  

Yellow-rump  Warbler  
Catbird,  

NOTE.— The  foregoing  is  a  copy  of  the  report  sent  to  the  Department  of  Agriculture  at  Washington,  D. 
C. ,  December  5,  1889,  and  kindly  given  to  me  for  publication  in  this  volume  by  Major  Wolf  .—WARREN. 


26  BIRDS 


402  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


PROTECTION  OF  BIRDS. 


AN  ACT 

Prohibiting  the  killing  or  taking  of  song  and  wild  birds,  except  in  certain  cases,  and 
providing  a  penalty  therefor. 

WHEREAS,  The  wilful  killing  or  taking  of  song  and  wild  birds  is  the  cause  of 
great  injury  to  the  agricultural  interests  on  account  of  the  increase  in  noxious  in- 
sects which  would  otherwise  be  destroyed  by  said  birds  ;  therefore, 

SECTION  1.  Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the  Com- 
monwealth of  Pennsylvania  in  General  Assembly  met,  and  it  is  hereby  enacted  by 
the  authority  of  the  same,  That  no  person  in  any  of  the  counties  of  this  common- 
wealth shall  kill,  wound,  trap,  net,  snare,  catch,  with  bird  lime  or  with  any  similar 
substance,  poison  or  drug  any  bird  of  song  or  any  linnet,  blue  bird,  yellow  hammer? 
yellow  bird,  thrush,  woodpecker,  catbird,  pewee,  martin,  bluejay,  oriole,  kildeer, 
snow  bird,  grass  bird,  grosbeak,  bobolink,  phcebe-bird,  humming  bird,  wrren,  robin, 
meadowlark,  nighthawk,  starling,  or  any  wild  bird  other  than  a  game  bird.  Nor 
shall  any  person  purchase  or  have  in  possession  or  expose  for  sale  any  of  the  afore- 
said song  or  wild  birds  or  any  part  thereof,  after  the  same  shall  have  been  killed. 
For  the  purposes  of  this  act  the  following  shall  be  considered  game  birds  :  The 
Anatidce,  commonly  known  as  swans,  geese,  brant  and  river  and  sea  ducks  ;  the 
Rallidce,  commonly  known  as  rails,  coots,  mud-hens,  and  gallinules  ;  the  Limicolce, 
commonly  known  as  shore  birds,  plovers,  surf  birds,  snipe,  woodcock,  sandpipers, 
tattlers  and  curlews ;  the  Gallinaz,  commonly  known  as  wild  turkeys,  grouse, 
prairie  chickens,  pheasants,  partridges  and  quail,  and  the  Columbce,  commonly 
known  as  doves  and  wild  pigeons. 

SECTION  2.  No  person  shall  take  or  needlessly  destroy  the  nests  or  eggs  of  any 
song  or  wild  birds. 

SECTION  3.  Sections  one  and  two  of  this  act  shall  not  apply  to  any  person  holding 
a  certificate  giving  the  right  to  take  birds  and  their  nests  and  eggs  for  scientific  pur- 
poses as  provided  for  in  section  four  of  this  act. 

SECTION  4.  Certificates  may  be  granted  by  the  prothonotary  of  any  county  in  the 
commonwealth  to  any  properly  accredited  person  of  the  age  of  eighteen  years  or  up- 
ward, permitting  the  holder  thereof  to  collect  birds,  their  nests  or  eggs  for  strictly 
scientific  purposes.  In  order  to  obtain  such  certificate  the  applicant  for  the  same 
must  present  to  the  said  prothonotary  written  testimony  from  two  well-known  scien- 
tific men  certifying  to  the  good  character  and  fitiiess  of  said  applicant  to  be  entrusted 
with  such  privileges  ;  must  pay  to  the  said  prothonotary  the  sum  of  one  dollar  to 
defray  the  necessary  expense  attending  the  granting  of  such  certificates,  and  must 
file  with  the  said  prothonotary  a  properly  executed  bond  in  the  sum  of  fifty  dollars, 
signed  by  two  responsible  citizens  of  the  commonwealth  as  sureties.  This  bond 
shall  be  forfeited  to  the  commonwealth  and  the  certificate  become  void  upon  proof 
that  the  holder  of  such  a  certificate  has  killed  any  bird  or  taken  the  nest  of  an y  bird 
for  other  than  the  purposes  named  in  sections  three  and  four  of  this  act,  and  shall  be 
further  subject  for  each  such  offense  to  the  penalties  provided  therefor  in  section 
seven  of  this  act. 

SECTION  5.  The  certificate  authorized  by  this  act  shall  be  in  force  for  one  year  only 
from  the  date  of  their  issue  and  shall  not  be  transferable. 

SECTION  6.  The  English  or  European  house  sparrow  (Passer  domesticus')  is  not 
included  among  the  birds  protected  by  this  act. 

SECTION  7.  Any  person  or  persons  violating  any  of  the  provisions  of  this  act,  shall 


APPENDIX.  403 


be  deemed  guilty  of  a  misdemeaner,  punishable  by  imprisonment  in  the  county  jail 
of  not  less  than  five  nor  more  than  thirty  days,  or  by  a  fine  of  not  less  than  ten  nor 
more  than  fifty  dollars  or  both  at  the  discretion  of  the  court 

SECTION  8.  In  all  actions  for  the  recovery  of  penalties  under  this  act,  said  penal- 
ties shall  be  paid  to  the  county  treasurer  of  the  county  where  the  offense  is  com- 
mitted. 

SECTION  9.  All  acts  or  parts  of  acts  inconsistent  with  or  contrary  to  the  provisions 
of  this  act  are  hereby  repealed. 

APPROVED— May  14,  1889. 


404  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


LIST  OF  AUTHORITIES. 


(^A)  Books,  catalagues,  pamphlets,  periodicals,  papers,  lists,  etc.,  from  which  quo- 
tations have  been  made  in  the  preceding  pages. 

Audubon. — The  Birds  of  America  |  from  drawings  made  in  the  United  States  |  and 
their  Territories  |  By  John  James  Audubon  |  Philadelphia  |  J.  B.  Chevalier  | 
1840-1844.  7  vols. 

Baird. — List  of  Birds  found  in  the  vicinity  of  Carlisle,  Cumberland  county,  Penna., 
about  Latitude  40°  12'  N.,  Longitude  77°  11'  W.  By  Wm.  M.  and  Spencer  F. 
Baird.  Published  in  the  American  Journal  of  Sciences  and  Arts.  Vol.  xlvi, 
April,  1844. 

Baird,  Brewer  and  Ridgway.— A  |  History  |  of  |  North  American  Birds  |  by  |  S.  F. 
Baird,  T.  M.  Brewer,  and  R.  Eldgway  |  Land  Birds  |  illustrated  by  64  plates 
and  593  wood-cuts  |  Volume  I  [-iii].  [Vignette]  |  Boston  |  Little,  Brown  and 
Company  |  1874.  (Size  4to,  pages  about  1800). 

Baird,  Brewer  and  Ridgway.— Memoirs  of  the  Museum  of  Comparative  Zoology 
at  Harvard  College.  Vols.  xii  and  xiii.  The  Water  Birds  of  North  America. 
By  S.  F.  Baird,  T.  M.  Brewer  and  R.  Ridgway.  Issued  in  continuation  of  the 
publications  of  the  Geological  Survey  of  California.  J.  D.  Whitney,  State  Ge- 
ologist, Boston.  Little,  Brown  and  Company,  1884.  [Illustrated  by  numerous 
wood-cuts ;  pages  1104.] 

Baird,  Cassin  and  Lawrence.—"  Baird's  Birds  of  North  America." 

Id  Son?8'.  }    Senate  \  ENoD°78:  [~  I  Reports  |  of  |  Explorations  and  Surveys,  | 
to  |  ascertain  the  most  practicable  and  economical  route  for  a  railroad  |  from 
the  |  Mississippi  River  to  Pacific  Ocean.  |  Made  under  the  direction  |  of  the  Sec- 
retary of  War,  in  |  1853-6,  |  according  to  acts  of  Congress  of  March  3, 1853,  May31, 
1854,  and  August  5, 1854  |  —  |  Volume  IX  |  —  |  Washington:  |  Be  verley  Tucker, 
Printer  |  1858  |  .    Subtitled  as  follows:    Explorations  and  Surveys  for  a  railroad 
route  from  the  Mississippi  River   to  the  Pacific  Ocean.  |  War  Department 
|  =  |  Birds :  |  by  Spencer  F.  Baird,  |  Assistant  Secretary  Smithsonian  Institu- 
tion. |  With  the  co-operation  of  |  John  Caasin  and  George  N.  Lawrence  |  —  | 
Washington,  D.  C.  |  1858.     pp.  i-lvi,  1-1005. 

Barnard.— A  catalogue  of  the  Birds  of  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania,  with  their 
times  of  arrival  in  spring,  from  observations  annually  taken  for  ten  successive 
years.  By  Vincent  Barnard,  pp.  434—438.  Smithsonian  Report,  1860. 

Barrowa— U.  S.  Department  of  Agriculture.  |  Division  of  Economic  Ornithology 
and  Mammalogy.  |  Bulletin  1.  |  =  |  The  |  English  Sparrow  |  (Passer  domesti- 
cus)  |  in  North  America,  |  Especially  in  its  relations  to  agriculture  |  —  |  Pre- 
pared under  the  direction  of  Dr.  C.  Hart  Merriam,  Ornithologist.  |  By  Walter 
B.  Barrows  |  assistant  ornithologist  |  —  |  Washington  :  Government  Printing 
office,  |  1889.  |  (pp.  405 ;  with  map  showing  the  distribution  of  the  English 
Sparrow  in  the  U.  S.  and  Canada  at  the  end  of  the  year  1886). 

Barrows— The  Food  of  Crows.  By  Walter  B.  Barrows,  S.  B.,  assistant  ornitholo- 
gist. From  Annual  Report  U.  S.  Department  of  Agriculture,  for  the  year 
1888.  pp.  498—535. 

•Committee,  American  Ornithologists'  Union.— The  Code  of  Nomenclature  | 
and  |  check-list  |  of  |  North  American  Birds  |  adopted  by  the  American  Orni- 
thologists' Union  |  Being  the  Report  of  the  Committee  of  the  |  union  on  class- 
ification and  |  nomenclature  |  —  |  (Motto)  |  —  |  New  York  |  American  Orni- 
thologists' Union  |  1886.  (8vo.,  pp.  I— viii,  1-392). 
*Elliott  Coues.  J  A.  Allen,  ttobert  Ridgway,  William  Brewster,  and  H.  W.  Henshaw. 


APPENDIX.  405 


Cones.— Key  |  to  |  North  American  Birds.  ]  Containing  a  concise  account  of  every 
species  of  living  and  fossil  |  bird  at  present  known  from  the  continent  north  of 
the  |  Mexican  and  United  States  boundary,  inclusive  |  of  Greenland  and  lower 
California,  |  with  which  are  incorporated  |  General  Ornithology ;  |  An  outline 
of  the  structure  and  classification  of  birds  |  and  |  Field  Ornithology  |  a  man- 
ual of  collecting,  preparing,  and  preserving  birds  |  The  third  edition,  |  exhib- 
iting the  new  nomenclature  of  the  American  Ornithologists'  Union,  and  |  in- 
cluding descriptions  of  additional  species,  etc.  |  By  Elliott  Coues,  A.  M.,  M.  D., 
Ph.  D.,  etc.,  etc.  |  Prof usely  illustrated  |  (pp.  i-x,  i-xxx,  1-895)  |  Boston(Mass). 
|  Estes  and  Lauriat  |  1887. 

Coues.— Department  of  the  Interior.  |  United  States  Geological  Survey  of  the  Ter- 
ritories. |  F.   V.  Hayden,  U.  S.   Geologist-in-charge.  |  Miscellaneous  Publica- 
tions—No. 3.  |  Birds  of  the  Northwest :  |  A  hand-book  |  of  |  The  Ornithology  | 
of  the  |  region  drained  by  the  Missouri   river  |  and    its  tributaries.  |  —  |  By 
Elliott  Coues,  |  Captain  and  Assistant  Surgeon  U.  S.  Army.  |  —  |  Washington  | 
Government  Printing  office,  |  1874.    pp.  i-xi,  1-791. 

Coues. — Department  of  the  Interior.  |  United  States  Geological  Survey  of  the  Terri- 
tories |  F.  V.  Hayden,  U.S.  Geologist  in  Charge.  |  Miscellaneous  Publications- 
No.  11  |  —  |  Birds  of  the  Colorado  Valley  |  a  Repository  of  |  scientific  and  pop- 
ular information  |  concerning  |  North  American  Ornithology  |  By  Elliott 
Coues  |  —  |  Part  First  |  Passeres  to  Laniidse  |  Bibliographical  Appendix  |  Sev- 
enty Illustrations  |  —  |  Washington  |  Government  Printing  office  |  1878.  pp. 
i-xvi,  1-807. 

Davie.— Nests  and  Eggs  |  of  |  North  American  Birds  |  By  Oliver  Davie  |  Third  Edi- 
tion, Revised  and  Augmented  |  Introduction  by  J.  Parker  Norris.  |  Illustra- 
tions (13)  |  by  Theodore  Jasper,  A.  M.,  M.  D.,  and  W.  Otto  Emerson.  |  —  | 
Columbus  |  Hann  &  Adair  |  1889.     pp.  1-455,  -i-xii. 

Everhart. — Miscellaneous  Bird-notes  (manuscript)  relative  to  species  observed  in 
Chester,  and  neighboring  counties,  during  a  period  of  over  sixty  years.  By 
Benj.  M.  Everhart,  Botanist,  West  Chester,  Penna. 

Fisher.— Food  of  Hawks  and  Owls,  by  Dr.  A.  K.  Fisher,  Assistant  Ornithologist ; 
from  the  Annual  Report  of  the  U.  S.  Department  of  Agriculture  for  the  year 
1887.  pp.  402-422. 

Graves.— Some  Notes  (manuscript)  on  species  observed  in  Chester,  Berks  and  ad- 
joining counties  during  a  period  of  about  fifty  years,  by  Henry  B.  Graves, 
Geigers  Mills,  Berks  county,  Penna. 

Gentry.— Life  Histories  of  the  Birds  of  Eastern  Pennsylvania,  by  Thomas  G.  Gen- 
try, |  member  of  the  Academy  of  Natural  Sciences  of  Philadelphia,  and  of  | 
the  Canadian  Entomological  Society  of  Toronto.  I  —  |  In  two  volumes.  Vol. 
L  |  —  |  Philadelphia :  |  Published  by  the  author  (H.  Smith,  Printer)  |  1876. 
Vol.  ii.  Salem,  Mass  |  The  Naturalists'  Agency.  |  1877.  8  vo.  Vol.  I,  pp.  xvi, 
1-399.  Vol.  ii,  4p.,  pp.  1-336. 

Henshaw.— Report  |  upon  |  the  Ornithological   Collections— Made  in    portions— of 
Nevada,  Utah,  California,  Colorado,  New  Mexico  and  Arizona — during  the 
years  1871,  1872,  1873  and  1874.  |  By  H.  W.  Henshaw.  |  Gov.  Printing  Office.  | 
Washington,  D.  C.  |  1875.    pp.  133-507.  15  colored  plates. 

Krider.— Notes  (manuscript)  of  certain  Rare  Birds  observed  in  the  vicinity  of  Phil- 
adelphia. By  Joseph  Krider,  Philadelphia,  Penna. 

Langdon. — Summer  Birds  of  Northern  Ohio  Marsh.  By  F.  W.  Langdon.  Journal 
Cincinnati  Society  Natural  History,  Vol.  iii,  1880.  pp.  220-232. 

Ijibhart — Ornithology  of  Lancaster  county,  by  Hon.  J.  J.  Libhart.  Published  in 
the  History  of  Lancaster  county,  Penna.  1869.  pp.  502-516.  (An  annotated 
list  of  250  species. ) 

Michener.— List  of  the  Birds  of  Chester  county,  by  Dr.  Ezra  Michener.  Published 
in  the  History  of  Chester  county,  Penna.  1881.  pp.  441-445. 


406  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

Nelson.-4?^  Congress,  j.  Senate  |  MjJ80^gf;  |  =  |  Report  |  upon  |  Natural  History  Col- 
lections |  made  in  |  Alaska  |  between  the  years  1877  and  1881  |  by  Edward  W. 
Nelson.  |  —  |  Edited  by  Henry  W.  Henshaw.  |  —  |  Prepared  under  the  direc- 
tion of  the  Chief  Signal  Officer.  |  —  |  No.  iii.  |  Arctic  Series  of  Publications  is- 
sued in  connection  with  the  Signal  Service,  U.  S.  Army,  |  With  21  plates  |  —  | 
Washington  :  |  Government  Printing  office.  |  1887.  337  pages.  4to. 

Nuttall.— A  |  Manual  |  of  the  |  Ornithology  |  of  the  |  United  States  and  of  Canada.  | 
By  Thomas  Nuttall,  A.  M.,  F.  L.  S.,  etc.  |  —  |  The  Land  Birds  ]  —  |  —  |  Cam- 
bridge :  |  Billiard  and   Brown,  |  booksellers  to  the  university  j  —  j  MDCCC- 
XXXII.  |  12mo.  pp.  vii,  1-683  ;    53  wood-cuts.     [Vol.  ii.]      The  Water  Birds  | 
—  |  —  |  Boston  :    |  Hilliard,  Gray  and  Company.  |  —  |  MDCCCXXI  V.    12mo. 
pp.  vii,  1-627.    Sixty-two  wood-cuts. 

Ridgway.—  A  |  Manual  |  of  |  North  American  Birds.  |  By  Robert  Ridgway.  |  —  |  Il- 
lustrated by  464  outline  drawings  of  the  |  generic  characters  |  —  j  Philadelphia: 
J.  B.  Lippincot  Company.  |  1887.  pp.  i-xi,  1-631. 

Ridgway.— A  |  nomenclature  of  colors  |  for  naturalists,  |  and  |  compendium  ot  use- 
ful knowledge  |  for   ornithologists,  |  by  Robert  Ridgway,  |  Curator,  Depart- 
ment of  Birds,  United  States  National  Museum,  j  With  ten  colored  plates  and 
seven  plates  |  of  outline  illustrations.  |  Boston:  |  Little,  Brown  and  Company.  | 
1886.    p.  129. 

Ridgway.— Natural  History  Survey  of  Illinois.  |  State  Laboratory  of  Natural  His- 
tory. |  S.  A.  Forbes,  director.  |  —  |  The  Ornithology  |  of  Illlinois  |  —  |  Part  1, 
Descriptive  Catalogue,  |  by  Robert  Ridgway.  |  Part  II.  Economic  Orni- 
thology, |  by  S.  A.  Forbes.  |  —  |  Volume  I.  |  —  |  Published  by  authority  of  the 
State  Legislature.  |  —  |  Springfield,  111.:  |  H.  W.  Rokker,  printer  and'binder,  | 
1889.  p.  520.  [One  full  page  colored  plate  (Sturnella  magna)  and  xxxii  p]  ates, 
xx  of  which  contain  numerous  outline  drawings  of  the  generic  characters.  ] 

Samuels.— Our  Northern  and  Eastern  Birds,  by  E.  A.  Samuels.  1883.  pp.  i-iv, 
1-600. 

Townsend.— Notes  on  the  Birds  of  Westmoreland  County,  Pennsylvania,  by 
Charles  H.  Townsend.  Published  in  proceedings  of  the  Academy  of  Natural 
Science  of  Philadelphia,  1883.  pp.  59-68. 

Turnbull.— The  |  Birds  of  East  Pennsylvania  |  and  New  Jersey,  |  by  William  P. 
Turnbull,  LL.  D.,  |  author  of  the  " Birds  of  East  Lothian;"  |  member  of  the 
Academy  of  Natural  Sciences  of  Philadelphia ;  |  of  the  Lyceum  of  Natural 
History,  New  York  ;  |  corresponding  member  of  the  Natural  History  Society 
of  Glasgow,  etc.  |  [Illustration  of  Meadowlark.]  |  Glasgow:  Printed  for  pri- 
vate circulation,  [by  A.  K.  Murray  &  Co.,]  |  1869.  1  vol.  roy.  8vo,  pp.  xii,  1-62, 
with  20  illustrations. 

Turner. -49^tc8^r0en88'  [  Senate    |  ^  ?5°5C-  |  =  I  Contributions  |  to    the  |  Natural    His. 
tory  of  Alaska  |  —  |  Results  of  investigations  made  chiefly  in  the  Yukon  | 
district  and  the  Aleutian  islands  |  conducted  under  the  auspices  of  the  signal 
service,  |  United  States  Army,  extending  from  May,  1874,  to  August,  1881.  | 
Prepared  under  the  direction  of  |  Brig,  and  Bvt.  Maj.  Gen.  W.  B.  Hazen,  | 
chief  signal  officer  of  the  army,  |  by  L.  M.  Turner.  |  —  |  No.  11.  |  Arctic  series 
of  publications  issued  in  connection  with  the  signal  service,  U.  S.  Army.  | 
With  26  plates.  |  —  |  Washington :  |  Government   printing   office,  |  1886.     226 
pages,  4to. 

Warren.— Report  |  on  the  |  Birds  of  Pennsylvania.  |  With  special  reference  to  the 
food-habits,  based  |  on  over  three  thousand  stomachs  |  examinations,  |  by  B. 
H.  Warren,  M.  D.,   |  ornithologist  of  the  State  Board  of  Agriculture,  etc.,  | 
illustrated  with  fifty  plates.  |  —  |  Harrisburg:  |  Edwin  K.Meyers, state  printer,  j 
1888.     pp.  i-xii,  1-260. 

Wheaton.— Ohio  Geological  Survey,  Vol.  IV,  Section  II.  |  —  |  Report  on  the  Birds 
of  Ohio,  |  by  J.  M.  Wheaton,  M.  D.  (Published  about  November  1,  1879.)  pp. 
438,  8vo. 


PLATE  99. 


1.  Tufted  Titmouse.    2.  Mocking-bird.    3.  Oven-bird. 

Males. 


APPENDIX.  407 


Wilson.— American  Ornithology  |  or  |  the  Natural  History  |  of  the  |  Birds  of  the 
United  States  |  illustrated  with  plates  |  engraved  and  colored  from  original 
drawings  taken  from  nature  |  by  Alexander  Wilson.  |  Published  by  Bradford 
and  Inskeep,  Philadelphia,  |  1808-1814,  9  Vols. 

Wilson  and  Bonaparte. — American  Ornithology;  |  or,  j  The  Natural  History  |  of  the 
Birds  of  the  United  States,  |  illustrated  with  plates  |  engraved  and  colored  from 
original  drawings  from  nature,  |  by  Alexander  Wilson  |  and  |  Charles  Lucian 
Bonaparte.  |  With  a  Sketch  of  the  Life  of  Wilson,  |  by  George  Ord,  F.  L.  S.,  | 
and  |  a  classification  of  the  genera  and  species  of  North  American  Birds,  |  by 
Spencer  F.  Baird,  |  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution,  |  Vol.  I,  (II,  III.)  |  Phil- 
adelphia: |  Porter  and  Coates.  |  Date  not  given.  (1871). 

[NOTE.  Extracts  were  also  made  from  different  numbers  of  Bulletin  Nuttall  Ornithological  Club,  the 
Auk.  Forest  and  Stream,  and  the  Ornithologist  and  Oologist.  likewise  several  papers  prepared  by  the 
author,  and  published  in  annual  reports  of  the  Pennsylvania  State  Board  of  Agriculture.  ] 


(B)  Names  of  persons  who  have  courteously  sent  the  writer  lists  of  species  found  in 
different  counties  of  the  commonwealth,  or  otherwise  materially  aided  him  in 
securing  much  valuable  information  concerning  the  avifauna  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. 

In  June,  1889,  the  writer  prepared  a  "  Provisional  List"  of  the  Birds  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, with  a  view  of  learning  the  status  of  numerous  species  and  subspecies  which 
had  been  attributed  by  various  observers  (reliable  and  otherwise)  to  our  fauna,  and 
distri  buted  the  same  to  naturalists  and  collectors  in  all  sections  of  the  State.  The 
following  is  a  copy  of  the  introductory  page  of  said  list  (thirteen  pages).  About 
five  hundred,  with  circular  letters,  were  distributed  throughout  the  commonwealth. 
Of  this  number  between  eighty  and  ninety  were  returned.  Several  which  had  been 
carefully  revised,  were  unfortunately  valueless  as  the  senders  neglected  to  give 
their  names ;  a  few  persons  marked  the  lists  so  as  to  render  them  unintelligible. 

Provisional  list,  including  natives,  permanent  residents,  spring  and  fall  mi- 
grants, occasional  visitants  and  "stragglers"  or  accidental  visitants.  Compiled 
by  B.  H.  Warren,  M.  D.,  West  Chester,  Pa. 

The  numbers  following  the  common  names  refer  to  check-lists  of  Prof.  S.  F.  Baird 
(marked  B),  published  in  1858;  Dr.  Elliott  Coues  (marked  C),  published  in  1873; 
Prof.  Robert  Ridgway  (marked  R),  published  in  1880;  Dr.  Elliott  Coues  (marked 
C),  published  in  1882,  and  that  of  the  American  Ornithologists'  Union  (marked  U), 
published  in  1886, 

In  addition  to  the  different  birds  observed  by  myself,  I  have  added  a  number  of 
species  which  have  been  given  in  writings  (published  and  unpublished)  of  differ- 
ent observers.  This  list  has  been  prepared  for  gratuitous  distribution  among  ornith- 
ologists and  oologists  who  are  respectfully  requested  to  make  such  additions  and 
corrections  as  their  field  experience  will  warrant 

The  following  suggestions  are  offered  to  those  who  will  kindly  aid  in  the  prepara- 
tion of  an  accurate  list  of  the  Birds  of  Pennsylvania : 

1.  Mark  with  an  *  before  the  common  names,  the  birds  which  breed  regularly  in 
your  locality. 

2.  Place  the  letter  R  after  the  common  names  of  birds  found  in  your  locality  dur- 
ing all  months  of  the  year. 

3.  Indicate  the  birds  which  occur  in  your  locality  as  spring  and  fall  migrants,  by 
the  letter  M. 

4.  Birds  which  are  found  in  your  locality  only  during  the  winter  season  mark  with 
the  letter  W. 

6.  Place  the  letter  Z  after  the  common  names  of  birds  which  occur  in  your  locality 
as  occasional  visitants,  and  state  if  possible  what  month  and  year  the  species  was  last 
seen. 


408  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

6.  Birds  which  you  regard  as  "stragglers"  or  accidental  visitants,  mark  with  the 
letter  S. 

Do  you  know  of  any  wild  pigeon  (Ectopistes  migratorius)  roosts  or  breeding 
places  in  this  state  ;  if  so,  where  are  they  ?  Also  state  last  authentic  record  of  a  wild 
pigeon  roost  or  breeding  place  in  Pennsylvania  which  is  known  to  you. 

Do  you  know  of  any  birds  not  mentioned  in  the  following  list  which  are  found  in 
Pennsylvania  ?  If  so  please  name  them  and  state  by  whom,  where  and  when  speci- 
mens were  taken. 

Do  you  know  of  any  birds  named  in  this  list  which  are  erroneously  included  in 
our  fauna? 


(C)  Local  lists  received  and  names  of  persons  contributing  the  same  to  the  author  : 

Balliet,  Dr.  L.  D.,  Du  Bois,  Clearfield  county. 

Ball,  Joseph  Price,  Frankford,  Philadelphia  county. 

Behr,  Otto,  Lopez,  Sullivan  county. 

Boltoii,  W.  P.,  Liberty  Square,  Montgomery  county. 

Bohn,  J.  G.,  Lebanon,  Lebanon  county. 

Brown,  Hon.  Gerard  C.,  Yorkanna,  York  county. 

Buller,  "W.  H.,  Marietta,  Lancaster  county. 

Burns,  Frank  L.,  Berwyn,  Chester  county. 

Camp,  J.  LJ.,  Herrick,  Bradford  county. 

Compton,  Murat,  Washington,  Washington  county. 

*Detwiller,  Dr.  John  W.,  Bethlehem,  Northampton  county. 

Eldon,  Charles  H.  (taxidermist),  Williamsport,  Lycoming  county. 

Everhart,  Dr.  Isaiah  P.,  Scran  ton,  Lackawanna  county. 

Fisher,  W.  P,,  Fleming,  Centre  county. 

fFriant,  George  P.  (taxidermist),  Scranton,  Lackawanna  county. 

Galen,  James,  Rawlinsville,  Lancaster  county. 

Gehris,  Milton  D.,  Kutztown,  Berks  county. 

JGerner,  Rev.  A.  H.,  Sing  Sing,  New  York. 

Gill  in,  Thomas  S.,  Ambler,  Montgomery  county. 

Green,  J.  F.,  Scranton,  Lackawanna  county. 

Greenland,  H.  Li.,  Warren,  Warren  county. 

Hark,  O.  B.,  Bethlehem,  Northampton  county. 

Hartman,  Dr.  W.  Lu,  Pittston,  Luzerne  county. 

Hazzard,  Dr.  T.  Z.,  Allegheny,  Allegheny  county. 

Jamison,  H.,  Manayunk,  Philadelphia  county. 

Johnson,  Rev.  Joseph,  Frankford,  Philadelphia  county. 

Keller,  D,  Frank,  Reading,  Berks  county. 

Ketcham,  J.  W.,  Minnequa,  Bradford  county. 

Kirkpatrick,  H.  C.  (taxidermist),  Meadville,  Crawford  county. 

Kocher,  J.  F.,  South  Whitehall,  Lehigh  county. 

Kock,  Prof.  August,  Williamsport,  Lycoming  county. 

Larrabee,  M.  M.,  Emporium,  Cameron  county. 

Lee,  Alfred  P.,  Oxford,  Chester  county. 

Lilley,  A.  T.,  LeRoy,  Bradford  county. 

Linskill,  David  J.,  Plymouth,  Luzerne  county. 

lanton,  G.  W.,  Masontown,  Fayette  county. 

Loucks,  Casper,  York,  York  county. 

MacCrea,  Dr.  A.  B.,  Berwick,  Columbia  county. 

Miller,  George,  York,  York  county. 

Moore,  Dr.  H.  D.,  New  Lexington,  Somerset  county. 

Morris  George  Spencer,  Olney,  Philadelphia  county. 


*  Also  notes  relative  to  species  in  various  parts  of  the  state. 

f  Also  notes  of  species  observed  in  Wyoming  county. 

JList  of  species  observed  in  the  vicinity  of  Milford,  Pike  county. 


PLATE  100. 


1.  Wood  Thrush.       2.  Olive-backed  Thrush. 
3.  Hermit  Thrush.     4.  Wilson's  Thrush. 


APPENDIX.  409 


Nease,  James  S.,  Washington,  Washington  county. 
Neff,  T.  It.,  Carlisle,  Cumberland  county. 
Nelis,  Justin,  Dingman's  Ferry,  Pike  county. 
Overmoyer,  S.  S.,  New  Lebanon,  Mercer  county. 
Paschal  1,  S.  Edward,  Doylestown,  Bucks  county. 
Perry,  George  B.,  Brooklyn,  Susquehanna  county. 
Park,  W.  H.,  (taxidermist),  Athens,  Bradford  county. 
Bees,  W.  G.,  Reading,  Berks  county. 
Rice,  Mrs  M.  H.,  Lahaska,  Bucks  county. 
*  Ricksecker,  Edmund,  Nazareth,  Northampton  county. 
Riday,  J.  Wesley,  Coatesville,  Chester  county. 
Ritchie,  Mrs.  William,  Buffalo,  Washington  county. 
Robertson,  Prof.  J.  R.,  Franklin,  Venango  county. 
f  Roddy,  Prof.  H.  Justin,  Millersville,  Lancaster  county. 
Ross,  George  R.,  Lebanon,  Lebanon  county. 
Scroggs,  Dr.  G.  A.,  Beaver,  Beaver  county. 
Sears,  George  W.,  Wellsboro',  Tioga  county. 
J  Sennett,  George  B.,  Erie,  Erie  county. 
Stern,  Jonas,  Kutztown,  Berks  county. 
Sterrett,  Harry,  Titusville,  Crawford  county. 
Stoey,  W.  W.  (taxidermist),  Harrisburg,  Dauphin  county. 
Stone.  Witmer,  Philadelphia,  Philadelphia  county. 
Swayne,  AVm.  M.,  Kennett  Square,  Chester  county. 
Teulon,  James  A.,  Bradford,  McKean  county. 
Thomas,  S.  S.,  Springville,  Susquehanna  county. 
Tingley,  Dr.  H.  A.,  Susquehanna,  Susquehanna  county. 
Townsley,  Robert,  Trainer,  Delaware  county. 
Treichler,  Dr.  A.  C.,  Elizabethtown,  Lancaster  county. 
Underwood,  Hon.  N.  F.,  Lake  Como,  Wayne  county. 
||  Van  Fleet,  Dr.  Walter,  Renovo,  Clinton  county, 
Wrarrick,  W.  T.,  Washington,  Washington  county. 
Webster,  M.  J.,  Madisonville,  Lackawanna  county. 
Williams,  Jr.,  H.  W.,  Scranton,  Lackawanna  county. 
Wilson,  Harry,  Gum  Tree,  Chester  county. 
Wrenshall,  R.  C.,  Pittsburgh,  Allegheny  county. 


*  With,  also,  notes  of  certain  species  found  breeding  in  Monroe  county.  List  and  notes  were  received 
from  Mr.  E.  Ricksecker,  July  5,  1887. 

t  List  of  species  occurring  in  Perry  county  ;  also  notes  concerning  species  observed  in  Centre  and  other 
counties. 

i  Also  list  of  species  found  in  Crawford  county. 

1  Also  lists  of  Clearfleld  and  Northumberland  counties,  and  notes  referring  to  species  in  several  other 
counties. 


410 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


(D)  Aided  by  the  following-named  members  of  the  Pennsylvania  State  Board  of 
Agriculture,  the  author  was  greatly  assisted  in  being  placed  in  communica- 
tion with  reliable  correspondents  in  nearly  every  county  in  the  Commonwealth. 


Adams,  I.  Garretson.  Btglerville. 
Armstrong,  Hon.  Noah  Seanor,  Plumville. 
Beaver,  A.  L.  McKibben,  Green  Garden. 
Bedford,  S.  S,  Diehl,  Bedford. 
Berks,  G.  D.  Stitzel.  Reading. 
Bucks,  E.  Reeder,  New  Hope. 
Butler,  W.  H.  H.  Riddle,  Butler. 
Bradford,  R.  H.  Laning,  Towanda. 
Blair,  Frederick  Jaekel.  Hollidaysburg. 
Clarion,  W.  Shanafelt,  Clarion. 
Chester,  T.  J.  Edge.  Harrisburg. 
Chester,  Samuel  R.  Downing,  West  Chester. 
Centre.  Dr.  E.  W.  Hale,  Bellefonte. 
Clinton,  J.  A.  Herr,  Cedar  Springs. 
Columbia,  Chandlee  Eves,  Millville. 
Crawford,  J.  B.  Phelps,  Conneautville. 
Crawford.  Hon.  Will  B.  Powell,  Springboro'. 
Cumberland,  C.  H.  Mullin.  Mt.  Holly  Springs. 
Dauphin,  G.  Hiester,  Harrisburg. 
Erie.  J.  C.  Thornton,  Avonia. 
Franklin.  D.  Z.  Shook,  Greencastle. 
Indiana,  W.  C.  Gordon,  Black  Lick. 
Jefferson,  J.  McCracken,  Jr.,  Frostburg. 
Lackawanna,  H.  H.  Colvin,  Dalton. 
Lancaster,  Calvin  Cooper,  Bird-in-Hand. 


Lawrence.  Samuel  McCreary,  Neshannock  Falls. 
Lebanon,  C.  R.  Lantz,  Lebanon. 
Lehigh,  Dr.  J.  P.  Barnes,  Allentown. 
Luzerne,  J.  B.  Smith,  Kingston. 
Lycoming,  P.  Reeder,  Hughesville. 
Mercer,  Robert  McKee,  Mercer. 
Montgomery,  H.  W.  Kratz,  Norristown. 
Montour,  J.  K.  Murray,  Potts  Grove. 
Northampton,  A.  D.  Shimer.  Bethlehem. 
Northumberland,  John  Hoffa,  Milton. 
Perry,  F.  H.  McKeehan,  Ferguson. 
Schuylkill,  J.  T.  Shoener.  Orwigsburg. 
Somerset.  Hon.  N.  B.  Critchfleld,  Quemahoning. 
Sullivan,  J.  H.  Lawrence,  Dushore. 
Susquehanna,  R.  S.  Searle.  Montrose. 
Tioga,  J.  W.  Mather,  Wellsboro'. 
Union,  J.  A.  Gundy,  Lewisburg. 
Venango,  Capt.  A.  Frazier.  Cooperstown. 
Warren,  Charles  Lott,  North  Warren. 
Washington,  John  McDowell,  Washington. 
Wayne,  N.  F.  Underwood,  Lake  Como. 
Westmoreland,'  F.  Y.  Clopper,  Greensburg. 
Wyoming,  N.  G.  Bunnell,  Vosburg. 
York,  Dr.  W.  S.  Roland,  York. 


APPENDIX.  411 


GLOSSARY   OF    TECHNICAL    TERMS    USED    IN    THE    PRECEDING 

DESCRIPTIONS. 


[These  definitions  are  compiled  from  Robert  Ridjrway's  Nomenclature  of  Colors,  and  Dr. 

Elliot  Coues'  *  Glossary.] 

A. 

Ab'dome*i. — Belly  ;  under  surface  of  body  from  breast-bone  to  vent ;  bounded 
laterally  by  the  sides,  posteriorly  by  the  vent  or  anal  region  and  anteriorly  by 
the  breast. 

Abdo'minal.— Pertaining  to  the  abdomen. 

Aber'rant. — Deviating  from  the  usual  character. 

Apces'sory. — Joined  to  another  thing  ;  additional  (as  an  accessory  plume). 

Accip'itres.— Plural  of  Accipiter  ;  also  the  name  of  a  more  or  less  artificial  group 
of  birds,  including  the  so-called  "  Birds  of  Prey  "  or  Raptores  of  some  authors. 

Accip'itrine.— Hawk-like. 

Acu'miiiate. — Tapering  gradually  to  a  point, 

Acute'.  — Sharp-pointed. 

Adult' — Grown  to  full  size  ;  mature  (a  bird  may  be  adult  as  regards  organization 
without  being  of  adult  plumage). 

After-shaft. — Properly,  the  stem  of  the  supplementary  plume  springing  from  near 
the  base  of  some  feathers  ;  ordinarily,  however,  applied  to  the  plume  itself. 

Al'ar.— Pertaining  to  the  wings. 

Alimen'tary. — Pertaining  to  the  digestive  organs. 

Al' trices. — Birds  reared  in  the  nest  and  fed  by  the  parents.  With  the  exception  of 
the  RaptoreSj  some  of  the  Steganopodes  and  Pygopodes,  the  Longipennes  and 
Spheni&ti,  the  young  of  the  Altrices  are  born  naked,  or  only  partly  clad. 

Alu'la.— "  Bastard-wing  ;"  spurious-wing  composed  of  several  stiff  feathers  grow- 
ing on  the  so-called  thumb.  They  are  situated  directly  below  the  secondary 
or  greater  coverts,  and  collectively  resemble  a  little  wing. 

A'nal. — Pertaining  to  the  anus. 

A'nal  region.— The  feathers  immediately  surrounding  the  anus. 

An'  iiular. — Ringed. 

Auo'malous. — Very  strange  or  unusual. 

An'seriiie.  — Goose-like. 

An'te. — Anterior  to,  or  before  ;  as  anteorbital,  anteocular,  etc. 

Ante'rior.— Forward  ;  in  front  of. 

Antrorse.— Directed  forward,  as  the  nasal  tufts  of  most  jays  and  crows,  and  the 
rectal  bristles  of  many  birds. 

A'nus. — Outlet  of  refuse  of  digestion.  In  birds  the  same  orifice  discharges  the  pro- 
ducts of  the  genito-urinary  organs. 

A'pex.— Tip  or  point  of  anything. 

Aquat'ic. — Pertaining  to  the  water ;  said  of  birds  frequenting  water,  and  thence 
drawing  subsistence. 

Arbo'real.— Tree-inhabiting. 

Ash  or  Ash'y.—  Pale  gray. 

Atten'uate.— Tapering  or  gradually  growing  narrower  toward  the  extremity,  but 
not  necessarily  pointed  or  acuminate. 

Auric'ular. — Pertaining  to  the  ear. 

Auric'ulars.— Ear-coverts.  The  (usually)  well-defined  feathered  area  which  con- 
ceals the  ears  in  birds. 


*  Hist.  N.  Am.  B,  Vol.  Ill,  pp.  536-560. 


412  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


Autum'nal  Plu'mage.—  The  full  dress  of  the  autumn.  In  most  birds  it  remains 
essentially  unchanged  till  the  spring  moult  In  many  species  the  young  pos- 
sess a  peculiar  autumnal  plumage  (assumed  by  the  first  moult)  which  differs 
not  only  from  their  first  livery  but  also  from  that  of  adults  at  the  same  season. 
In  such,  the  adult  or  mature  plumage  may  be  completely  assumed  at  the  next 
moult,  or  it  may  be  gradually  acquired  by  successive  moults,  as  in  the  case 
ot  many  Orioles  (Icteridce),  Tanagers  and  other  bright-colored  Passerine 
groups. 

A'vis.— Plural  aves.     Bird. 

Av'ian  Fauna,    i 

Avi-fauna.  \  The  bird-life  of  a  particular  country  or  locality. 

Ax' ilia. — Armpit. 

Ax'illar.      > 

Ax'illary.    \  Pertaining  to  the  armpit 

Ax'illaries.    )  The  (generally)  soft  and  lengthened  feathers  growing  from  the  arm. 

Ax'illarea     5     pit 


Back. — Dorsum.  In  descriptive  ornithology,  usually  includes  the  scapulars  and 
interscapulars,  but  should  properly  be  restricted  to  the  latter  alone. 

Back  of  Neck. — Cervical  region.  Includes  Nucha  and  Cervix  (which  see).  Equiv- 
alent to  hind-neck. 

Band.— Any  crosswise  color-mark,  transverse  to  the  long  axis  of  the  body.  A 
broad  band  is  usually  called  a  zone. 

Band'ed  or  Barred. — Marked  with  bands  or  bars. 

Barb. — Any  one  of  the  laminae  composing  the  web  of  a  feather. 

Barb'ed. Furnished  with  barbs ;  bearded. 

Base. — Bottom  ;  root ;  origin. 

Ba'sal. — Pertaining  to  the  base. 

Bay. — A  very  rich  dark  reddish  chestnut 

Beak.— Bill. 

Bel'ly. — See  abdomen. 

Belt.— A  broad  band  of  color  across  the  breast  or  belly.  (Distinguished  from  zone 
in  that  the  latter  may  cross  the  wings  or  tail.) 

Belt'ed.— Marked  with  a  broad  band  of  color  across  the  lower  part  of  the  body,  as 
in  the  Belted  Kingfisher. 

Bend  of  Wing.—  Angle  or  prominence  formed  at  the  carpus  (wrist-joint),  in  the 
folded  wing. 

Bev'y.— A  flock  of  quails  or  partridges.  , 

Bi  '-colored. — Two-colored. 

/  Two-named,  or,  more  properly  named  by  two  terms.     The  binomi- 
nal system  of  nomenclature,  instituted  in  1758  by  Linnaeus,  and 
J      adopted  by  zoologists  and  botanists,  promulgates  the  use  of  two 
terms  as  the  name  of  each  species — the  first  generic,  the  second 
{      specific. 

Boot.— In  birds,  the  tarsal  envelope,  when  entire. 

Boot'ed.— A  booted  tarsus  has  the  usual  scales  fused  so  as  to  form  a  continuous  or 
uninterrupted  covering.  The  tarsus  of  the  smaller  thrushes  and  American 
Robin  (Merula  migratoria')  well  illustrate  this  character. 

Bo'real.— Northern. 

Breast.— Anterior  portion  of  lower  part  of  trunk,  between  jugulum  and  abdomen  ; 
properly,  the  region  overlying  and  containing  the  breast-bone,  but  generally 
restricted  to  the  more  forward  swelling  portion  of  each  region. 

Bris'tle.— Small,  stiff,  hair-like  feather,  especially  about  the  mouth  or  eyes,  but 
sometimes  on  other  portions  of  the  plumage  also. 

Buff  or  Buffy.— Pale  brownish-yellow  ;  color  of  yellow  buckskin. 


APPENDIX.  413 


c. 

Capi'taL— Pertaining  to  the  head. 

Cap'itate. — A  capitate  feather  has  the  end  enlarged. 

Caruiv'orous. — Flesh-eating. 

Car 'mine. —A  very  pure  and  intense  crimson.     The  purest  of  the  cochineal  colors. 

Car'pal.— Pertaining  to  the  carpus,  or  wrist 

Car'pus. — The  wrist  In  a  bird  the  space  between  the  bend  (Jlexura)  and  the 
hand-joint  of  the  wing. 

Car'uncle. — Small  fleshy  excrescence,  usually  about  the  head  or  neck  (as  in  Tur- 
key Buzzard,  Wild  Turkey,  etc.,)  generally  naked,  and  wrinkled,  warty,  or 
brightly  colored. 

Carun'culated— Having  caruncles. 

Cau'da.— The  tail. 

Cau'dal.— Pertaining  to  the  tail. 

Cere.— The  naked  skin  or  membrane  in  which  the  nostrils  are  situated,  common  in 
most  birds  of  prey  (Raptores)  and  many  of  the  Parrot-tribe  (Psittaci),  as 
well  as  the  Pigeons  (CoZww&ce),  and  some  other  groups.  It  usually  has  a  more 
or  less  distinct  line  of  demarcation  anteriorly  (except  in  the  Pigeons). 

Cer'vical.— Pertaining  to  the  hind-neck  or  cervix. 

Cer'vix.— The  hind-neck  ;  from  occiput  to  the  commencement  of  back,  including 
the  nape  and  scruff. 

Char 'acter.— Any  material  attribute  susceptible  of  definition  for  use  in  description 
and  classification.  Also,  a  sum  of  such  attributes,  as,  of  passerine  character. 

Cheek.— An  arbitrary  sub-division  of  the  side  of  the  head,  differently  employed  by 
various  writers,  but  usually  corresponding  to  the  malar  region,  ortne  feathered 
portion  of  the  lower  jaw. 

Chest'nut. — Rich  dark  reddish  brown  color,  of  a  slightly  purplish  cast 

Chin.— The  most  anterior  point  of  the  gular  region,  or  the  space  between  forks  of 
lower  jaw. 

Cine'reous. — Ash-gray ;  a  clear  bluish  gray  color,  lighter  than  plumbeous  (lead- 
color). 

Cir'cular. — Of  a  rounded  shape. 

Class.— A  primary  division  of  animals,  as  the  class  of  Birds  (Class  Aves). 

Classification. — Systematic  arrangement 

Claw.— The  horny,  pointed,  and  compressed  sheath  of  the  terminal  phalanx  of  the 
toe. 

Clutch. — Nest-complement  of  eggs. 

Col'lar. — A  ring  of  color  around  neck. 

Colora'tion.— Pattern  or  mode  of  coloring,  or  the  colors  of  the  plumage  collectively. 

Commis'sural.— Pertaining  to  the  commissure. 

Com'missure.— The  outlines  of  the  closed  bill,  or  the  opposed  edges  of  the  mandi- 
ble and  maxilla. 

Compress'ed. — Narrowed  sideways  ;  higher  than  wide. 

Con'fluent. — Run  together. 

Coniros'tral. — Having  a  conical  bill,  like  that  of  a  finch  or  sparrow. 

Cord'ate.        >   Heart-shaped. 

Cord'iform.    $ 

Cor'nu.— Horn. 

Coro'na. — Top  of  head.  Equivalent  to  cap  or  pileus.  Vertex  is  the  highest  point  of 
corona. 

Cor  rugate,        )  Wrinkied. 

Cor'rugated.     > 

Co'vey. — A  family  (or  brood  with  or  without  their  parents)  of  quails  or  other  game- 
birds. 

Cream  Color. — A  light  pinkish  yellow  color,  like  cream. 


414  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

Crepus'cular. — Pertaining  to  twilight.  (Crepuscular  birds  are  those  which  become 
active  after  sunset. ) 

Cres'cent. — A  figure  having  the  shape  of  a  new  moon. 

Crescent'ic. — Shaped  like  the  new  moon. 

Crest. — A  more  or  less  lengthened,  erectile,  or  permanently  erect,  tuft  of  feathers 
on  top  of  the  head. 

Crest' ed.— Having  a  crest,  as  the  Blue  Jay. 

Crim'soii.— Blood-red  ;  the  color  of  the  cruder  sorts  of  carmine. 

Cris'sum. — A  term  usually  applied  to  the  lower  tail-coverts  collectively,  but  prop- 
erly belonging  to  the  feathers  situated  between  the  lower  tail-coverts  and  the 
anal  region. 

Cris'sal. — Pertaining  to  the  crissum. 

Crown. — Pileus,  top  of  head,  especially  the  vertex. 

Cul'men. — Ridge  of  maxilla  or  upper  mandible. 

Cul'miiial. — Pertaining  to  the  culmen. 

Cu'neate.       }  Wedge-shaped.    A  cuneate  tail  has  the  middle  feathers  longest,  the 

Cu'neiform.  )     rest  successively  regularly  shorter. 

D. 

Decid'uous. — Temporary  ;  falling  early.  The  dorsal  plumes  of  the  egret  are  decid- 
uous. 

Decompos'ed. — Separate ;  standing  apart.  A  decomposed  crest  has  the  feathers 
standing  away  from  each  other. 

Decum'bent.— Drooping  or  hanging  downward. 

Decurved'. — Gradually  curved  downward.     Opposed  to  recurved. 

Degluti'tion.— Act  of  swallowing. 

Den'tate.— Toothed. 

Depress'ed.—  Flattened  vertically ;  broader  than  high.     Opposite  of  compressed. 

Diagno'sis.— A  condensed  statement  of  the  characters  which  are  exclusively  ap- 
plicable to  a  species,  genus,  or  higher  group ;  a  description  which  omits  all 
non-essential  characters, 

Digitus.— Digit     Finger  or  toe. 

Disc.  )  Set  of  radiating  feathers  surrounding  the  eye  in  some  birds,  especially  the 

Disk.  )      owls. 

Dis'tal. — Remote  ;  situate  at  or  near  an  extremity  ;  opposite  to  proximo. 

Diur'nal. — Pertaining  to  the  daytime.  Among  birds,  those  which  are  active  during 
the  daytime  and  repose  at  night.  (  Many  diurnal  birds,  however,  are  nocturnal 
in  their  migrations. 

Dor'sal.— Pertaining  to  the  back. 

Dor'sum. — Back  ;  upper  surface  of  trunk  from  neck  to  rump. 

Double-rounded.  )  A  doubly-forked  tail  has  the  middle  and  lateral  feathers  decid- 

Doubly-rounded.  S     edly  longer  than  those  between. 

Down.— Small  soft  decomposed  feathers,  which  clothe  the  nestlings  of  many  birds, 
and  which  also  grow  between  and  underneath  the  true  feathers  in  the  adults 
of  many  others,  especially  the  various  kinds  of  water-fowl. 

Drab.— A  brownish  gray  color. 

Dusk'y.— Of  any  indefinite  dark  color. 

E. 

Ear-cov'erts.— The  usually  well-defined  tract  of  feathers  overyling  the  ears  of  most 
birds.  The  ear-coverts  (or  auricular s,  as  they  are  usually  termed  in  descrip- 
tions) are  bounded  above  by  the  backward  extension  of  the  supercilium,  or 
lateral  portion  of  the  crown,  posteriorly  by  the  occiput  and  nape,  below  by  the 
malar  region  or  "cheeks,"  and  anteriorily  by  the  suborbital  region.  Same  as 
auriculars. 


APPENDIX.  415 


Ear'ed.— Having  lengthened  or  highly  colored  auricular  or  other  feathers  on  the 

side  of  the  head. 
Ear-tufts.— Erectile  tufts  of  elongated  feathers  springing  from  each  side  of  the  crown 

or  forehead,  and  presenting  a  close  superficial  resemblance  to  the  external  ears 

of  many  mammalia.      They  are    especially   characteristic  of  certain    owls. 

(Strigidce). 

Edg'ed.— Having  the  edge  or  lateral  margin  of  a  different  color. 
Edge  of  wing.— The  anterior  border  of  the  wing,  from  the  armpit  to  the  base  of  the 

outer  primary. 

El'evated.— Said  of  the  hind  toe  when  inserted  above  the  level  of  the  others. 
Elon  gate. — Lengthened  beyond  the  usual  ratio. 

An  emarginate  tail  has  the  middle  feather  shortest,  the  rest  suc- 


Einarg'inate. 
Em  arg' mated. 


cessively  a  little  longer ;    hence  our  emarginate  tail  is   very 
slightly  forked.     An  emarginate  quill  has  the  web  suddenly  nar- 


rowed by  an  abrupt  cutting  away  of  the  edge. 
Excres'cence. — Outgrowth,  fleshy,  or  cutaneous. 

^  re"   >  The  nest  of  a  bird  of  prey,  especially  an  eagle. 
Ey'rie.  5 

F. 

Fa 'cial.— Pertaining  to  the  face. 

Fal'cate. — Sickle-shaped  ;  scythe-shaped. 

Fam'ily. — A  systematic  group  in  scientific  classification)  embracing  a  greater  or  less 
number  of  genera  which  agree  in  certain  characters  not  shared  by  other  birds 
of  the  same  Order.  In  rank,  a  Family  stands  between  Order  and  Genus,  the 
former  being  composed  of  a  greater  or  less  number  of  nearly  related  families. 
In  zoological  nomenclature  the  name  of  a  Family  is  taken  from  a  typical  Ge- 
nus, the  name  of  which  is  modified  by  the  termination  idee ;  as  Falconidoe,  Co- 
lumbidce,  etc.  Subfamilies  are  distinguished  by  the  termination  ince. 

Fau'na.— The  animal-life  of  a  country  or  locality. 

Ferrugin'eous.  >  Rusty.red  .  like  color  of  irOn-rust 

Ferru'ginous.     > 

Filament,— A  slender  or  thread-like  fibre. 

Flanks.— The  most  posterior  feathers  of  sides. 

Fore'head.  )  Front  of  head  from  bill  to  crown. 

Front. 

Fore'neck.— A  rather  indefinite  and  arbitrary  term,  variously  applied,  but  usually 
referring  to  the  lower  throat  and  jugulum,  though  not  infrequently  to  the 
whole  of  the  space  included  by  the  chin,  throat  and  jugulum.  In  long-necked 
birds  only  does  the  term  become  of  definite  application. 

Form. — In  a  special  sense,  a  sort  of  non-committal  term  frequently  used  by  modern 
writers  to  designate  what  is  of  doubtful  rank.  The  term  "form"  is  thus  used 
lor  what  may  prove  to  be  a  species,  or  may  be  only  a  race,  but  as  to  the  rank 
of  which  the  author  is  in  doubt. 

Fos'sa. — A  ditch  or  groove.  Used  chiefly  in  the  plural  (Fossce)  to  denote  the  pits  or 
grooves  in  which  most  birds'  nostrils  open. 

Fos'ter  parent.— A  bird  which  has  reared  the  young  of  a  parasitic  species. 

Front'al.— Pertaining  to  the  forehead. 

Frugiv'orous. — Fruit-eating. 

Fulig'inous. — Sooty  brown,  or  dark  smoke-color. 

Ful'vous. — Of  a  brownish-yellow  color  ;  tawny. 

Fur'ca*  e.— Forked. 

Fus'cous. —  Dark-brown,  of  a  rather  indefinite  . 


416  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

G. 

Gallina  ceous. — Belonging  to  the  Order  Gallinece  ;  having  the  nature  of  the  domes- 
tic fowl. 

Gape.— The  opening  of  the  mouth. 

Gastrse'um. — The  whole  under  part  of  a  bird. 

Gen'era.— Plural  of  Genus. 

Gener'ie. — Pertaining  to  a  Genus. 

Ge'nus.— An  assemblage  of  species,  or  a  single  species,  constituting  a  taxonomie 
group  of  value  next  below  that  of  the  family. 

Gib'bose.     > 

Gib'bous.    $   Swollen ;  protuberant 

Gibbos'ity. — A  swelling  or  protuberance. 

Glau'cous.— A  whitish-blue  color,  like  the  "  bloom  "  of  a  cabbage-leaf. 

Go'nys.— The  keel  or  lower  outline  of  the  maxilla  or  lower  mandible,  from  the  tip 
to  the  point  where  the  rami  begin  to  diverge. 

Gorg'et.—  Throat-patch,  distinguished  by  color  or  texture  of  the  feathers. 

Grad'    ated.  C  ^  ffradu<*>ted  tail  has  the  middle  feathers  longest,  the  rest  succes- 

G  ad'      te.  sively  shorter;    the  difference  in  length1  not  so  great,  however, 

C      as  in  a  cuneate  tail. 

Grallato'res.     >  An  arbitrary  and  artificial  group  of  the  older  classifications,   in- 

Grallato'rise.    >     eluding  the  wading  birds. 

Graniv'orous.  — Seed-eating. 

/  The  most  posterior  series  of  wing-coverts,  or  those  which 
r  Coverts.  immediately  overlay  the  base  of  the  secondaries ;  hence 

*ts<  (     often  very  appropriately  called  Secondary  coverts. 

Ground-color  (in  oology). — The  color  of  the  general  surface  of  the  egg-shell,  as  dis- 
tinguished from  its  markings. 

Gu'la,— The  throat 

Gu'lar.— Pertaining  to  the  throat 

Gut' tate.— Drop-shaped  or  tear-shaped. 

H. 

Hab'itat. — Locality  or  region  frequented  by  a  species ;  its  geographical  distribution. 

Hal'lux. — In  birds  possessing  four  toes,  the  hinder  one  is  the  hallux,  no  known  bird 
having  four  toes  directed  forwards.  In  some  birds,  as  certain  plovers,  the  bus- 
tards (  Otididce),  the  Struthiones,  etc.,  the  hallux  or  hind  toe  is  wanting.  In  three- 
toed  birds  having  two  toes  in  front  and  one  behind,  the  hallux  is  usually  the 
one  wanting,  the  hind  toe  being  in  reality  the  fourth  (or  outer)  toe  reversed. 
When  the  toes  are  in  pairs  (two  before  and  two  behind)  the  hallux  is  usually 
the  inner  of  the  hinder  pair,  the  exception  being  in  the  Trogans  (  Trogonidce). 
The  hallux  reaches  its  best  development  in  the  Passers,  the  Accipitres,  Striyes, 
and  Rallidce,  but  more  especially  in  the  first,  in  which  it  is  usually  as  strong, 
if  not  stronger,  than  the  largest  of  the  anterior  toes. 

Has' tare.— Spear-head  shaped. 

Ha'zel.— An  orange-brown  color,  like  the  shell  of  a  hazel-nut  or  filbert 

Hel'met.— A  naked  shield  or  protuberance  on  the  top  or  fore  part  of  the  head. 

Herodio'nes.— A  natural  group  of  altricial  warders,  embracing  the  storks,  wood- 
ibises,  spoonbills,  boatbills  and  herons. 

Hind-neck. — Crevix.  , 

Hoar'y. — Of  a  pale  silvery-gray. 

Hood' ed.— Having  the  head  conspicuously  different  in  color  from  the  rest  of  the 
plumage. 

Hor'notine.— Yearling  ;  a  bird  ol  the  year. 

Hu'merus.— The  upper  arm  bone  ;  or,  the  whole  ol  the  upper  arm. 

Hy'brid.— Cross  between  two  species;  mongrel. 

Hy' old.— Properly,  pertaining  to  the  os  hyoides,  or  tongue  bone,  but  frequently 
applied  with  reference  to  the  tongue  itself. 


APPENDIX.  417 


i. 

Idearifica'tioii. — The  determination  of  the    species  to  which  a  given  specimen 

belongs. 

Im'bricated. — Fixed  shingle-wise  with  over-lapping  edge  or  end. 
Immac'ulate. — Unspotted. 
Immature'. — Not  adult. 
Incised'. — Cut  out ;  cut  away. 

Incuba'ticm. — The  act  of  sitting  on  eggs  to  hatch  them. 
Indig  enous. — Native  of  a  country. 
Insectiv'orous. — Insect-eating. 
In terorb  ital.  —  Between  the  eye-sockets. 
Interscap'ular.— Between  the  shoulders. 
Interscap'ulars.— Feathers  of  the  back. 

Irides'ceiit. — Glittering  with  many  colors,  which  change  in  different  lights. 
I'ria— Colored  circle  of  the  eye  around  the  "  dark  spot"  or  pupil. 

J. 

Jug'ular. — Pertaining  to  the  jugulum. 
Jug'ulum. — Lower  throat ;  lower  foreneck. 


Lia'bel.— Card,  ticket  or  similar  slip  of  paper,  parchment,  etc.,  affixed  to  an  object 
giving  written  information  respecting  it. 

Lake  Red.— A  purplish  red  color,  not  so  intense  as  crimson. 

I  jam  iiia  —A  thin  plate  or  scale. 

Lanceolate.— Lance-shaped  ;  tapering  narrowly  at  one  end,  less  so  at  the  other. 

Lav'eiider.— A  very  pale  purplish  color,  paler  and  more  delicate  that  lilac. 

Lead-col'or.— Plumbeous. 

Leg. — As  generally  used,  synonymous  with  tarsus;  as  "legs  and  feet"  =tarsi  and 
toes. 

Les'ser  Wing-cov'erts. — The  smaller  wing-coverts,  forming  a  more  or  less  well  de- 
fined tract  immediately  anterior  to  the  middle  coverts,  and  thence  to  the  an- 
terior border  of  the  inner-wing. 

Li'lac  —  A  light  purple  color,  like  the  flowers  of  the  lilac. 

Limico'Ise.— A  group  of  shore-waders,  as  plover,  snipe,  etc. 

Lin'ear. — Narrow,  with  straight  parallel  edges  ;  line-like. 

Li'ning  of  the  Wing. — The  under  wing-coverts,  especially  the  lesser  and  middle. 

Lo'bate.   )  Furnished  with  membraneous  flaps  (said  chiefly  of  toes). 

Lobed.      ) 

Lobe — Membraneous  flap. 

Lougi pen' lies. — A  group  of  long-winged  swimming  birds,  formally  embracing  the 
gulls  and  their  allies,  and  the  Procellariidce  petrels,  albatrosses,  and  lulmars), 
but  properly  restricted  to  the  Laridce,  Rliynchopidce  and  JStercorariidw. 

Longitud  inal.— Running  lengthwise,  or  in  the  direction  of  the  antero-posterior 
axis  of  the  body. 

Lo'ral. — Pertaining  to  the  lores. 

Lore. — Space  between  eye  and  bill. 

Low'er  Parts.— The  entire  under  surface,  from  chin  to  the  crissum,  inclusive. 

Low'er  Tail-cov'erts.— Feathers  immediately  under  the  tail. 

M. 

Mac '  ulate.  — S  potted. 
Mad'der  Brown.— A  very  rich  reddish-brown  color,  more  purplish   than    burnt 

sienna. 

Ma  la — Basal  portion  of  outside  of  lower  jaw,  usually  feathered. 
Ma'lar.— Pertaining  to  the  mala. 

27  BIRDS. 


418  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

Ma'lar  Re'gion. — The  side  of  the  lower  jaw  behind  the  horny  covering  ot  the 
mandible,  usually  feathered.  In  most  birds  it  is  a  well-defined  tract,  extend- 
ing backward  from  tho  base  of  the  maxilla,  beneath  the  lores,  orbits,  and 
auriculars>  and  bounded  beneath  by  the  chin  and  throat. 

Man'dible. — Properly  the  under  jaw,  the  upper  being  maxilla. 

Mandibu'lar. — Pertaining  to  the  lower  jaw. 

Man'tle. — In  certain  Laridce  and  some  other  birds,  the  mantle  is  that  portion  of  the 
upper  plumage  distinguished  by  the  other  parts  of  a  peculiar  and  uniform 
color,  suggesting,  by  its  position,  a  mantle  thrown  over  the  body.  It  usually 
includes  simply  the  back,  scapulars,  and  wings  and  the  term  is  perhaps  ap- 
propriate only  when  thus  restricted. 

Marine'. — Pertaining  to  the  sea. 

Mar'gined. — Narrowly  bordered  with  a  different  color. 

Maroon'.>— A  rich  brownish  crimson  ;  claret  color. 

Mask  ed. — Having  the  anterior  portion  of  the  head  colored  differently,  in  a  con- 
spicuous manner,  from  the  rest  of  the  plumage. 

Max'illa.—  The  upper  jaw,  or  upper  mandible.         , 

Max'illary.— Pertaining  to  the  maxilla. 

Me'dian. )  A1         tne  middle  iine. 

Me'dial.   \ 

Mel'anism.— A  peculiar  state  of  coloration  resulting  from  excess  of  black  or  dark 
pigment.  A  frequent  condition  of  hawks. 

Metal'lic.— As  applied  to  colors  having  a  brilliant  appearance,  like  burnished 
metal. 

Mid'dle  Toe.— The  middle  one  of  the  three  anterior  toes.  It  is  usually  4-jointed, 
and  longer  than  the  lateral  toes.  In  numerical  order  it  is  the  third,  the  hind 
toe,  or  hallux,  being  the  first,  and  the  inner  toe  the  second.  In  zygodactylous 
birds  it  corresponds  to  the  outer  anterior  toe,  the  fourth  toe  being  reversed. 

(  The  series  of  coverts,  usually  in  a  single  transverse 

Mid'dle  Cov'erts.  row,  situated  between  the  lesser  and  greater,  or  sec- 

Mid'dle  Wiiig-cov'erts.     j      ondary  coverts.     They  usually  overlap  one  another 

Me'dian  Cov'erts.  in  the  reverse  manner  from  the  other  coverts,  the 

L      inner  or  upper  edge  being  the  one  exposed. 

Migra'tion,— Periodisal  change  of  abode,  influenced  chiefly  by  seasonal  changes  in 
climate,  in  which  case  the  migration  is  regularly  periodical,  the  vernal  or 
spring  migration  being  in  the  northern  hemisphere,  northward,  the  autumnal 
migration  southward,  but  vice  versa  in  the  southern  hemisphere.  The  migra- 
tions of  many  birds,  however,  are  irregular  or  erratic,  being  prompted  by  the 
necessity  of  finding  the  requisite  food-supply.  The  Passenger  Pigeon  ( Ecto- 
pistes  migratoria),  American  Robin  (Merula  migratoria),  Cedar-bird  (Am- 
pelis  cedrorum),  etc.,  are  migratory  in  this  sense  ;  while  the  tanagers,  orioles, 
and  others,  which  pass  the  summer  only  in  northern  latitudes  and  winter  en- 
tirely within  the  tropics  are  periodical  migrants. 

Mir'ror.--See  speculum. 

Monog'arnous. — Pairing ;  mating  with  a  single  one  of  the  opposite  sex.  Birds  ot 
which  the  male  assists  in  incubation  and  care  of  the  young  are  called  doubly 
monogamous. 

Moustache^.— In  descriptive  ornithology  any  conspicuous  stripe  on  the  side  of  the 
head  beneath  the  eye. 

N. 

Nape.— The  upper  portion  of  the  hind-neck  or  cervix. 

Na'sal.— Pertaining  to  the  nostrils. 

Nata'tion.— Act  of  swimming. 

Natato'res.— Swimming  birds,  as  geese,  ducks,  gulls,  etc. 

Nic'titating  Mem'braue.—  The  third  or  inner  eye-lid  of  hints. 


APPENDIX.  419 


Nidiflca'tion. — Nest-building;  mode  of  nesting. 

No'menclature. — The  names  of  things,  according  to  a  recognized  principle  of  nam- 
ing, or  those  peculiar  to  any  department  of  science.  Various  systems  of 
nomenclature  have  been  employed  in  the  naming  of  animals  and  plants. 
Previous  to  the  institution  of  the  binomial  system  by  Linnaeus  (first  pro- 
mulgated as  to  zoology  in  1758;,  the  polynomial,  system,  or  the  use  ol  several 
terms  as  to  the  name  of  a  species,  was  much  in  vogue.  That  now  employed 
is  the  binomial  system  of  Linnteus,  in  which  usualty  only  two  terms  are 
used,  the  one  generic,  the  other  specific,  but  occasionally  modified,  accord- 
ing to  the  requirements  of  modern  science,  by  the  use  of  a  third  term  after  the 
specific  one,  for  the  designation  of  nascent  species,  or  "subspecies." 

Nor'mal. — Usual ;  regular. 

Nos'tril.— The  external  opening  of  the  organs  of  respiration. 

Nu'cha. — The  nape  ;  upper  part  of  cervix,  next  to  occiput. 

Nu'chal.— Pertaining  to  the  nape. 

Nup'tial  plu'mage.— A  particular  plumage,  peculiar  to  the  breeding  season,  char- 
acteristic of  some  birds. 

O. 

Oblique'.— Indirect ;  crossing,  or  running  diagonally. 

Ob'long — Longer  than  broad. 

Obscure'.— Dark  ;  not  evident ;  faintly  marked  ;  little  known. 

Obtuse'. — Blunt.    Opposed  to  acute. 

Occip'ital.— Pertaining  to  the  hind-head  or  occiput 

Oc'ciput. — The  hind-head. 

Ochra'ceous.    "| 

Och'reous.          I  A  brownish  orange  color,  or  intense  buff. 

Och'rey. 

Olfac'tory.— Pertaining  to  the  sense  of  smell. 

ra'ceous.  |  A  greenish.brown  color>  like  that  Of  olives. 

Omniv'orous. — Feeding  upon  anything  eatable  ;  eating  indiscriminately. 

Oolog'ical. — Pertaining  to  oology. 

Ool'ogy.— The  science  of  birds'  eggs. 

Opaque'.— In  descriptive  ornithology,  the  opposite  of  metallic,  or  brilliant,  dull  or 
without  gloss. 

O'ral.— Pertaining  to  the  mouth. 

Or  bit.— Eye-socket 

Or'bital  Ring. — A  ring  or  circle  of  color  immediately  surrounding  the  eye. 

Or' dor.— In  classification  a  group  between  family  and  class. 

Oriiithol'ogy.— The  science  of  birds. 

Os  ciniiie.— Pertaining  to  the  Oscines ;  musical  or  capable  of  singing. 

Os'cines. — The  name  of  a  natural  group  of  singing  passerine  birds,  comprising  the 
singing-birds  par  excellence,  characterized  by  a  highly  specalized  vocal  appa- 
ratus. 

Out  er  Web.— The  outer  web  of  a  feather  is  that  farthest  from  the  central  line  of  the 
body  ;  in  wing-feathers  it  is  that  farthest  from  the  base  of  the  wing,  or  toward 
the  outer  edge  of  the  wing. 

O'yal.  j 

1  e'          }  Egg-shaped  ;  in  a  general  sense  oblong  and  curvilinear. 
O  void. 

Ovoid  al.     ) 

Ova'rium.  >  The        an  m  which  e     s  are  developed. 

O'vary.         S 

Ovip'aroua—  Producing  eggs  which  are  developed  after  exclusion  from  the  body. 

Oviposi'tioii. — Act  of  laying  eggs. 


420  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

p. 

Pal'mate.     |  Web-footed  ;  having  the  anterior  toes  full-webbed.     Compare  Semi- 

Pal'mated.  j-     paimate  and  Totipalmate. 

Pal'miped.  ) 

Palu'dicole.—  Marsh-inhabitating. 

Pal'udme.      >  pertaining  to  a  marsh  or  swamp. 

Palus'  trine.  $ 

Pap  ilia.  —  Small  fleshy  nipple-like  prominence. 

Par'asite.—  In  Oology,  a  species  which  constructs  no  nest  and  performs  none  of  the 
duties  of  incubation  or  rearing  of  the  young,  but  imposes  on  other  birds  for 
this  purpose.  A  parasitic  bird  is  also  a  species  which  obtains  its  food  by  syste- 
matically robbing  other  species;  as  the  Parasitic  Jaeger  (sttercorarius  para- 
siticus).  Bald  Eagle  (Haliceetus  lettcocephalus). 

Parasi'tic.—  Habitually  making  use  of  other  birds'  nests. 

Pas  seres.—  A  group  of  birds  including  the  sparrows  and  all  the  higher  birds. 

Pas'serine.—  Sparrow-like.     Belonging  to  the  group  of  Passeres. 

Pearl  Blue.—  A  very  pale  purplish  blue  color. 

Pearl  Gray.  —  A  very  pale  delicate  blue-gray  color,  like  the  mantle  of  certain  gulls. 

Pec'tinate.      )  Having  tooth-like  projections,  like  those  of  a  comb,  as  in  the  toes  of 

Pec'tinated.   )     a  heron  or  grouse. 

Pec  'toral.—  Pertaining  to  the  breast. 

Pec'tus  —  The  breast. 

Pelag'ic.  —  Frequenting  the  high  seas. 

Phase.  —  Used  more  especially  in  the  case  of  dichromatic  species,  as  the  melan- 
istic  phase,  the  rufescent  phase,  etc. 

Pi'ci.  —  The  name  of  a  natural  group,  or  order,  of  zygodactyle  birds,  comprising  the 
woodpeckers  and  wrynecks. 

Pig'ment.  —  Coloring-matter. 

Pil'eus.    >  The  t      of  head  from  bage    f  biu  t  e 


Pil'eum. 

Pink.  —  A  dilute  rose-red  color. 

Pin'nate.      )  Having  little  wing-like  tuits  of  elongated  feathers  on  the  side  of  the 

Pin'nated.  $     neck. 

Pin'tailed.  —  Having  the  central  tail-feathers  elongated  and  narrowly  acuminate,  as 

in  the  male  Pintail  Duck  (Dafila  acuta). 
Pisciv'orous.  —  Fish-eating. 
Plu'mage.—  The  leathers,  collectively. 

Plum'beous.  —  A  deep  bluish-gray  color,  like  tarnished  lead  ;  lead-color. 
Polyg'amous.  —  Mating  with  many  females,  as  the  domestic  cock. 
Poste'rior.—  (Upper  or  Lower)  Parts.  —  The  hinder  half  of  a  bird,  above  or  below. 
Postoc'ular.   i 

Postor'bital.  \  Back  of'  or  Posterior  to>  the  eve- 
Pow'der-down  Feath'ers.  —  Peculiar  imperfect  feathers,  in  a  matted  patch,  which 

grow  continually,  and  as  constantly  break   down,  with  a  scrufy  exfoliation, 

and  pervaded  with  a  greasy  substance  ;  they  are  especially  conspicuous  in 

the  heron  tribe,  but  are  also  found  elsewhere. 
Pri'mary.  —  Anyone  of  the  quill-leathers  of  the  u  hand-wing,"  usually  nine  to  eleven 

in  number.     Used  chiefly  in  the  plural,  as  distinguished  from  the  secondaries 

or  those,  remiges  which  grow  upon  the  forearm. 
Pri'mary  Cov'erts.  —  The  series  of  stiff  feathers,  usually  corresponding  with  the 

primaries  in  their  graduation,  which  overlie  the  basal  portion  of  the  latter. 
Punctate.—  Dotted. 

Pu'pil.  —  Central  black  disc  circumscribed  by  the  iris  ;  a  hole,  not  a  substance. 
Pur'ple.  —  A  color  intermediate  between  red  and  blue. 
Pygopo'des.  —  A  group  of  swimming  birds,  containing  the  families  PodicipididoB, 

Colymbidce  and  Alcidce,  distinguished  by  the  extreme  posterior  position  of 

the  legs. 
Pyr'iform.  —  Pear-shaped. 


APPENDIX.  421 


Q. 

Quad' rate. — Square. 
Quar  ry.— Prey  of  raptorial  birds. 

Quill. — As  generally  used,  one  of  the  primary  remiges ;  and  perhaps  best  so  re- 
stricted. 

R. 

Race.— A  nascent  species  or  a  "form,"  which  on  account  of  the  existence  of  inter- 
mediate specimens  cannot  be  considered  a  species,  no  matter  how  great  a  de- 
gree of  differentiation  may  have  been  reached.  Races  are  distinguished  as 
"Geographical "  and  "  Local "  according  as  to  whether  they  occupy  extensive 
or  limited  areas  of  country.  Geographical  races  are  usually  correlative  with 
definite  geographical  areas,  being,  in  fact,  the  expression  of  geographical  varia- 
tion.— (Ridgway.) 

Ka  mus. — Branch  or  fork,  as  the  ramus  of  the  lower  mandible 

Rapto'res.— An  artificial  group  of  birds,  including  the  so-called  birds  of  prey. 

Rapto'rial. — Pertaining  to  the  birds  of  prey. 

Rec'trix.— Any  one  of  the  tail-feathers.    The  plural,  rectrices,  is  chiefly  used. 

Recur' ved.— Curved  upward. 

Reflec'tioii. — Change  of  color  with  different  inclination  to  the  light. 

Re'gioii. — Any  portion  of  the  body  localized,  as  the  anal  region,  dorsal  region,  etc- 

Re'mex.— Quill  of  the  wing.     The  plural  remiges  is  generally  employed. 

Reiic'ulate.      )    Marked  with  a  network  of  lines. 


Reiic'ulated. 

Ric'tal.— Pertaining  to  the  rictus. 

Rictus. — The  gape  ;  sometimes  restricted  to  the  corner  of  the  mouth. 

Rosa'ceous.  )  A  y  e  purp]ish_pink,  like  some  varieties  of  roses. 

Rose  Pink.    > 

Rose  Red.— The  purest  possible  purplish  red  color. 

Ros'irum.— The  beak;  bill. 

Round  ed. — A  rounded  tail  has  the  central  pair  of  feathers  longest,  the  remainder 

successively  a  little  shorter.     A  rounded  wing  is  one  in  which  the  first  pri- 
.         inary  is  short,  the  longest  quill  being  the  third,  fourth  or  fifth,  or  one  nearly 

midway  between  the  first  and  last, 

Rudiment/ary.  —  Undeveloped  ;  existing  only  in  its  beginning. 
Ruflf. — Set  of  lengihed  or  otherwise  modified  or  peculiarly  colored  feathers  around 

the  throat  or  whole  neck. 
Ru'ga. — A  ridge  or  wrinkle. 
Ru'gose.— Wrinkled. 
Rus  set.— A  bright  tawny-brown  color,  with  a  tinge  of  rusty. 


Sali'va. — Spittle  ;  the  secretion  of  the  salivary  glands. 
Scaiiso'nal, — Capable  of  climbing  as  a  woodpecker. 
Scap'ular.— Pertaining  to  the  shoulder  blade,  or  Scapula 

Scap'uiars.      )  Feathers  of  the  scapular  region. 

Scap'ularies.  > 

Scarier.— The  purest  possible  red  color,  lighter  and  less  rosy  than  carmine,  ricner 

and  purer  than  vermilion. 
Scolo  pacine. — Snipe-like. 

Suu'tellate  — Provided  with  scutella,  or  transverse  scales. 
Sec'ondary  Cov'erts. — Properly,  the  posterior  row  of  wing-coverts,  which  overlie 

the  basal  portion  of  the  secondaries.    The  greater  wing-coverts. 

)  The  long  feathers  of  the  forearm,  which  in  the  spread  wing 
Sec'ondary  Quills.  >     appear  in  a  continuous  row  with  the  primaries. 

Sec'ondary  Rem'iges. 


422  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


Serrate.       ,   Toothed  like  a  saw. 


Ser'rated. 

Seia  ceous.— Bristly ;  bristled. 

Sex  ual.— Pertaining  to  sex. 

Shaft.— The  mid-rib  of  a  feather. 

Shank. —  Properly  the  shin  or  tibial  segment  of  the  leg. 

Side  of  Neck. — The  space  included  between  the  cervix  and  the  jugulum. 

Sides. — The  lateral  portions  of  the  inferior  surface  of  a  bird's  body,  extending  from 
near  the  armpits  to  and  including  the  flanks.  The  sides  are  subdivisible  into 
(1)  sides  of  breast,  (2)  sides  proper,  and  (3)  flanks. 

Slate  co'lor. —  A  dark  gray,  or  blackish  gray  color,  less  bluish  in  tint  than  plumbe- 
ous or  lead  color. 

Spe'cies. — Aggregate  of  individuals  related  by  genetic  succession  without  notable 
change  of  physical  characters  whereby  they  are  distinguished  from  all  other 
beings. 

Specific. — Of,  or  relating  to  a  species  ;  as  specific  name,  specific  character. 

Spec' ulum.— Mirror ;  brightly  colored  area  on  the  secondaries,  especially  of  certain 
ducks. 

Spher'ical.— Having  the  form  of  a  sphere  or  globe. 

Spi'nose.  ") 

Spi'iious.}   Having  spines. 

Spu'rious  —  False ;  imperfect;  bastard;  rudimentary. 

Spu'rious  Pri'mary.— The  first  primary  when  much  reduced  in  size. 

Spu'rious  Wing. — The  alula  or  bastard  wing. 

Squam'ose.   )    _ 

>  Scaly ;  scale  like. 
Squam'ous.  J 

Stage. — Used  specially  for  the  progressive  plumages  ot  birds,  as  the  adult  stage, 

downy  stage,  etc. 
Steganopo'des. — A  group  of  "Swimming  Birds"  characterized  by  having  the  hind 

toe  united,  on  the  inner  side,  to^-he  inner  anterior  one  by  a  full  web. 
Strag'ulum. — Mantle;  back  and  folded  wings  taken  together.     Same  as  pallium. 
Straw-col' or.— A  very  light  impure  yellow,  like  cured  straw. 

Striate.     )  streaked. 

Stri'ated.  ) 

Stri'dent. — Shrill. 

Sub-ba'sal.— Near  the  base. 

Subfam'ily. — A  sub-division  of  a  family  including  one  or  more  genera. 

Subge'nus. — A  sub-division  of  a  genus,  of  indefinite  value,  and  frequently  not  rec- 
ognized by  name  except  in  the  grouping  of  species. 

Sub-or'd«-r. — A  group  intermediate  in  taxonomic  rank  between  an  order  and  a 
family. 

Sub-spe'cies.— A  nascent  species;  a  variation,  usually  geographical,  of  a  species, 
but  not  accorded  full  specific  rank  on  account  of  the  incompleteness  of  its  dif- 
ferentiation ;  hence,  usually  a  geographical  race  or  form. 

Subu'late.— Awl-shaped. 

Sul  phur  Yel'low.—  A  very  pale  pure  yellow  color,  less  orange  in  tint  than  dilute 
gamboge  or  lemon-yellow. 

Supercil'iary.—  Above  the  eye. 

Superior'.— Lying  over,  above  or  uppermost. 

Supra-auri'cular.— Situate  above  the  auriculars. 

Supralo'ral.— Situate  above  the  lores. 

Su'pra-or'bitaL—  Situate  over  the  orbit. 

Syn  onyrn. — A  different  word  of  the  same  or  similar  meaning.  Also  written  syn- 
onym e. 

Synon'ymous  — Expressing  the  same  meaning  in  different  terms. 

Syuon'ymy. — A  collection  of  synonyms. 


APPENDIX.  423 


T. 

Tail. — See  cauda. 
Tail-cov'erts. — The  most  posterior  feathers  of  the  body,  or  those  which  immediately 

cover  the  basal  portion  of  the  tail. 
Tar 'sal. — Relating  the  tarsus. 
Tar'sus. — In  descriptive  ornithology,  the  leg  of  a  bird,  or  that  portion  from  the  foot 

(that  is,  the  toes)  to  the  heel  joint. 
Tavv'ny.— The  color  of  tanned  leather. 
Tax 'i derm isr.— A  person  who  prepares  and  preserves  the  skins  of  animals,  with  the 

view  to  imitate  their  appearance  in  life. 

Taxkl'ermy. — Art  of  preparing  and  preserving  skins  so  as  to  represent  the  appear- 
ance of  the  living  animal. 
Ter'minal. — At  the  end. 

(  Properly,  the  inner  quills  of  the  wing,  growing  from  the  elbow  or 

,  burner  us  and  usually  more  or  less  concealed  (in  the  closed  wing) 

61  V  by  the  longer  scapulars.  Frequently,  however,  the  graduated  inner 

s'  |      secondaries  are  incorrectly  so-called,  especially  when  distinguished, 

^      as  they  very  often  are,  by  different,  color,  size,  or  shape. 
Thorac'ic.— Pertaining  to  the  chest  or  thorax. 
Tho'rax.— The  chest ;  segment  of  the  body  enclosed  by  ribs,  sternum  (breast-bone), 

and  certain  vertebrae,  containing  heart  and  lungs. 
Throat, — In  descriptive  ornithology,  the  space  between  the  rami  of  the  lower  jaw, 

including  also  a  small  portion  of  the  upper  part  of  the  foreneck. 
Tib'ia. — Principal  and  inner  bone  of  leg  between  knee  and  heel ;  but  in  descriptive 

ornithology,  called  "thigh." 
Tib'ial.— Pertaining  to  the  tibia. 

To'mium.— The  cutting-edge  of  the  mandibles.    Plural  tomia. 
Totipal'mate. — Having  all  four  toes  webbed. 
Transverse'. — Crosswise  ;  in  direction  at  right  angle  with  longitudinal  axis  of  the 

body. 

Tridac'tyle.— Three-toed. 
Trinomial.— Composed  of  three  names.     In  Biology,  a  name  composed  of  three 

terms, — a  generic,  a  specific,  and  a  subspecific. 
Trun'cate — Cut  squarely  off. 
Type. — Of  various  significations  in  ornithology.     The  type  of  a  genus  is  that  species 

from  which  the  generic  characters  have   been  taken,  or  which  is  specified  as 

the  standard  ;  the  type  of  a  species  is  the  particular  specimen  from  which  the 

species  was  originally  described.    The  type,  or  typical,  form  of  a  group  is  that 

which  answers  best  to  the  diagnosis  of  that  group. 

TJ. 

Uii'der  Parts.— The  entire  lower  surface  of  a  bird,  from  chin  to  crissum,  inclusive. 
Un'guis. — A  claw. 

Up  per  Parts. — The  entire  upper  surface,  from  forehead  to  tail,  inclusive. 
U-shaped.— Having  the  form  of  the  letter  U. 

V. 

Vane.— The  whole  of  a  feather  excepting  the  stem. 

Vari'etal.— Pertaining  to  or  having  the  characteristics  of  a  variety. 

Van'ety.— Properly,  an  individual  or  unusual  and  irregular  variation  from  the  nor- 
mal type  of  form  or  coloration,  as  the  various  breeds  or  "  strains  "  of  domestic 
animals.  But  the  term  is  often,  though  improperly,  applied  to  subspecies,  or 
geographical  races. 

Vent,— The  anus. 

Vent  ral.— Pertaining  to  the  belly. 

Vent  ral  Re'gion.— The  feathers  surrounding  or  immediately  adjacent  to  the  vent 


424  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

Vermic'ulate.          \  f 

Vermic'ulated.       >  Marked  with  irregular  fine  lines,  like  the  tracks  of  small  worms. 

Vermic'ulation.      ) 

Ver'inifrom.  —  Shaped  like  a  worm  ;  as  a  woodpecker's  tongue. 

Vermil  ion. — A  very  fine  red  color,  lighter  and  less  rosy  than  carmine,  and  not  so 

pure  or  rich  as  scarlet 
Ver'iial.— Pertaining  to  spring. 

Vibris'sa  —Bristly  or  bristle-tipped  feather  about  the  mouth  of  a  bird. 
Viiia'ceous. — A  brownish  pink,  or  delicate  brownish-purple  color,  like  wine-dregs; 

a  soft  delicate  wine-colored  pink  or  purple. 

et'  I    A  purplish-blue  color,  like  the  petals  of  a  violet. 

Viola' ceous.    ) 

Vis' ceral.— Pertaining  to  the  viscera. 

Vis'cus. — Any  interior  organ  of  the  body,  but  especially  of  the  digestive  system. 

The  stomach  is  a  viscus ;  the  intestines  are  viscera. 
V-shaped. — Having  the  form  of  the  letter  V. 

W. 

Wash'ed.— As  if  overlaid  with  a  thin  layer  of  different  color. 
Wa'ved.— Marked  with  narrow  undulating  lines  of  color. 
"Web.— The  thin  part  or  vane  of  a  feather  on  either  side  of  the  shaft 
Whis'kered.— Having  lengthened  or  bristly  feathers  on  the  cheeks. 

Z. 

Zone. — A  broad  band  of  color,  completely  encircling  the  circumference  of  a  body. 
Zoolog'ical. —  Pertaining  to  zoology. 

Zool'ogy.— Natural  history  of  animals,  of  which  ornithology  is  one  department. 
Zygodac'tyle.— Yoke-toed  ;  having  the  toes  in  pairs,  two  before  and  two  behind. 


INDEX. 


A. 

Acanthis,  329 

linaria,  229 
Accipiter,  120, 126,  336 

atricapillus,  120.  124,  349,  366 

cooperi,  122,  33ri,  349,  366 

velox,  120,  :i36,  348,  366 
Accipitrinae,  117 
Actitis,  94 

macularia,  94 
^Egialitis.  99 

meloda,  101 

semipalmata,  100 

vocifera,  99 

wilsonia,  102 
Agelaius,  210 

pbceniceus,  2  0 
Aix.  30,  40 

sponsa,  30,  40 
Ajaja  ajaja,  54 
Alauda  arvensis,  198 
Alaudidre,  197 
Alcedinidse,  Iti2        f 
Alcidte,  8 
Alcyones,  162 
Alle,  10 

alle,  10 
Allinae,  10 
Ammodramus,  234 

sandwichenses  savanna,  234 

savannarum  passerinus,  235 

henslowii,  236 
Ampelidrt3,  257 
Ampelinse,  258 
Ampelis,  258 

eedrorura,  258 

garrulus,  258 
Anas,  35 

americana,  37 

boschas,  35 

carol inensis,  37 

discors,  38 

obscura.  36 

strepera,  36 
Anatidae.  30 
Anatime,  35 
Anhinga  anhinga,  28,  58 
Ani,  159 
Anis,  159 
An  seres,  30 
Anserime,  49 
Anthus,  303 

pensilvanicus,  303 
Antrostomus,  179 

carolinensis.  180 

vociferus,  179 
Aphelocoma  floridana,  199 
Aphrizidae,  103 
AquiJa,  133 

chrysaetos,  133,  357,  368 


Archibuteo,  131, 137,  336,  337,  356  366 

lagopus  sancti-johannis,  131,  336,  356,  366 
Ardea,  28,  57 

candidissima.  60 

coerulea,  62, 63 

egretta,  59, 60 

herodias.  28.  57 

tricolor  ruflcollis,  61 

virescens,  63 
Ardeidae,  54 
Ardeime,  57 
Arenaria,  103 

interpres,  103 
Arenariinae,  103 
Asio,  146,  336 

accipitrinus,  148, 336,  361,  366 

wilsonianus,  146,  336,  360,  366 
Auk,  6,  10 

Little,  10 
Auks,  6,  8 

Authorities,  list  of,  404-407 
Aythya,  41 

affinis,  44 

americana,  41 

collaris.  44 

m  aril  a  nearctica,  43 

vallisneria,  42 


B. 

Baldpate,  37 
Baldpates,  37 
Bartramia,  93 

lougicauda,  93 
Beebird,  187 
Birds,  Local  (county),  lists  of,  and  names  of  per- 

sons  contributing  the  same,  408,  409 
Birds,  an  act  for  the  Protection  of,  402,  403 
Birds  Molested  by  the  Sparrow,  395 
Bittern,  American,  55 

Least,  56  , 

Bitterns,  54,  55,  56 
Blackbird,  Cow,  209 

Crow,  114,  212.  219.  223,  224 

Ked-shouldered.  212 

Red- winged,  210,  211,  212,  314 

Kusty,  218 

Skunk,  206 

Swamp.  310,  212 

Yellow-headed,  205,  212,  213 
Blackbirds,  205,  209,  211, 221 
Black-cap,  Wilson's,  301. 
Black-head,  43 

Big,  43 

Little,  43,  44 
Bluebird,  241,  324,  a?0 
Bluebirds,  330  331 
Blue-bill.  43 

Little,  44 

Bobolink,  205,  206,  207 
Bob- white,  105 

Florida,  106 
(425) 


426 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


Bog-trotter,  119 
Bogsucker,  78 
Booby,  47, 48 
Bonasa,  107 

umbellus,  107,  200 
Botau rinse,  55 
Botaurus,  55 

exilis,  56 

lentigmosus,  55 

Bounty  or  "  Scalp."  Act  of  1885 

Brant,  51 
Branta,  50 

bernicla,  51 

canadensis,  50 
Bubo,  156, 336 

virginianus,  156,  336,  364,  366 
Bubonidae,  143,  146 
Buffle-head,  45 
Bunting,  Black-throated,  249 

Bay- winged,  233 

Cow,  161,  *09 

Indigo,  248 

Snow,  232 

Towusend's,  249.  , 

Butcher-bird,  260, 261 
Butcher-birds,  260 
Buteo,  120,  126, 137,  336 

boreal  is,  126, 336, 349, 366. 

borealis  harlani,  129 

harlaui,  129 

latissimus.  126, 130,  336,  356,  366 

liueatus,  126,  129.  336,  354,  366 

swaiusoni,  356,  366, 
Butter-ball,  45 
Bush-bird,  244 
Butter-birds,  206 
Buzzards,  Turkey,  114, 115, 116 
Buzzards,  117 

a 

Calcarius,  232 

lapponicus,  232 
Calidris,  87 

arenaria,  87 
Calico-back,  103 
Calico-snipe,  103 
Callipepla  calif  ornica,  104 
Canvas-back,  42,  43 
Caprimulgi,  178 
Caprimulgidae,  178 
Cardinal.  245 
Cardinalis;245 

cardiualis,  245 
Carpodacus,  227 

purpureus,  227 
Catbird,  203, 305 
Catharista,  117 

atrata,  117 
Cathartes,  115 

aura,  115 
Carthartidae,  114 
Cedar-bird,  257, 258 
Cedar-birds,  2o9 
Ceophloeus.  170 

piieatus,  170, 177, 178 
Cepphi,  6 
Cephus.  9, 10 

grylle.  9 

mandtii,  10 
Certhia,3l3 

t'amiliaris  americana,  313 
Certhiidae,  313 


Ceryle,  162 

alcyon,  162 
Chaeturinee,  182 
Chaetura,  i82 

pelagica,  182 
Chalk-line,  63 
Charadrius,  97 

dominicus,  98 

squatarola,  97 
Charadriidae,  97 
Charitonetta,  45 

albeola,  45 
Chat,  265,  271,  272 

Yellow-breasted,  196,  299 
Chelidon,  255 

erythrogaster,  255 
Chen,  49 

caerulescens,  49 

hyperborea  uivalis,  49 
Cherry-bird,  258 
Cherry-birds,  259 
Chewmk,  244 
Chickadee,  311,  317,  318,  319 

Carolina,  317,  319,  320 
Chickadees,  267 
Chicken,  Mother  Carey's,  27 
Chick-will,  IbO 
Chippy,  238,  240,  241 

Ground,  242 
Chimney-bird,  182 
Chuck-  wilPs-widow,  180 
Ciconise,  53 
Ciconiidae,  53 
Circus.  119,336 

hudsonius,  119,  336,  347,  366 
Cistothorus,  311 

palustris,  312 

stellaris,  311 
Clamatores,  186 
Clangula,  46 

hyemalis,  46 
Clivicola,  256 

ripana,  256 
Coccothraustes,  224 

vespertina,  224 
Coccyges,  159 
Coccyginas,  160 
Coccyzus,  160 

aniericanus,  160 

erythrophthalmus,  161 
Colaptes,  176 

a  u  rat  us,  176 
Colinus,  105 

virginianus,  105 

lioridanus,  106 
Columbus,  110 
Columbidas,  110 
Colymbus.  2.  3 

auritus.3 


Compsothlypis,  279 

americana,  269,  279 
Contopus,  187,  193 

vircns,  193.  286 

borealis,  194 
Coot.  75 

American,  74 

Sea,  47,  46 
Coots,  67,  74 
Corncracker,  Red,  246 
Cormorant,  28 

Double-crested,  28 
Cormorants,  28,  29,  31,  63 


INDEX. 


427 


Corvidne,  198 
Corvinte,  201 
Corvus,  201,391 

aiuencauus,  202.  204,367 

corax  principals.  201 

ossifragus,  204,  367,  391 

siiinatus.  201 
Coturnix  coturnix,  104 
Cowhird,  205.  209,  210,  263 
Cowbirds,  327 
Crane,  Big,  57 

Green-legged,  55 

Large  White,  59 
Creeper.  Brown,  272,  313. 314 

Black  and  While,  273 
Creepers,  313 
Crossbill.  American,  228,  229 

Mexican,  228 

White-winged,  229 
Crossbills,  224,  226,  228,  229 
Crotophaga  ani,  159 
Crow,  American,  198,  202 

Carrion.  117 

Common,  204,  367 

Fish,  19s,  204,  367 

Kain,  160,  161 

Crow,  Fish,  Examination  of  Stomachs  of  the,  391 
Crows,  198,  201,  203,  219 
Crymophilusiuliearius,  77 

Jp  ood  of,  367-395 
Cuckoo,  Black-billed,  159, 161, 162 

Yellow-billed,  159, 160,  161, 163 
Cuckoos,  6,  159 
Cuculi,  159 
Cuculidre,  159 
Curlew,  Eskimo,  96 

Long-billed,  95,  96 
Cyanocitta,  199 

cristata.  199 

cristata  florincola,  199 
Cygninae,  51 
Cypseli,  182 

D. 

Dabchick,  5 
Dafila,  39 

acuta,  39 
Dendroica,  279 

aestiva,  269,  279,  280 

auduboni,  282,  283 

black  burn  ite,  269,287 

caerulea,  269,  284 

cserulescens.  269,  281 

castanea,  284,  2»5,  286 

coronata,  269.  281 

discolor,  270,  293 

dominica,  270,  288 

kirtlandi,  270,  290,  291 

maculosa,  269,  283 

palmarum,  292 

palmarum  hypochrysea,  292 

pensyl  vanica,  269,  2t>4 

striata.  286 

tigrina,  279 

townsendi.  290 

vijroreii.  270.  291 

virens,  270.  2*9 
Dickcissel,  224,  249, 250 
Dipper.  4 

Little,  4 
Diver.  3 

G  reat  Northern,  6,  7, 8 

Hell,  4 

Little  Hell,  3 
Divers.  7 
Dohchonyx.  205 

oryzivorus,  205,  207 


Dough-bird,  96 
Dove,  110,  203 

Mourning,  110, 113 

Sea,  10 

Turtle,  113 
Dovekie,  10 
Doves,  110 
Dowitcher,  82 
Dryobates,  165 

borealis,  167, 177 

pubet-cens.  166 

villosus,  Ib5 

villosus  audubonii,  178 
Duck,  Acorn,  40 

American  Scaup,  43 

Black,  :tti 

Buffle-head,  30,  37 

Crow,  74 

Dipper,  3 

Dusky.  :*> 

Fish,  32 

Gray,  36 

Lesser  Scaup,  44 

Little  Fish.  3,  4 

Long-tailed,  46 

Pintail.  39 

Ratt,  44 

King-necked.  44 

Ruddy.  oO.  48.  49 

Spine-tailed,  48 

Summer,  40 

Surf.  48 

Wood.  30,  34,  40,  41 
Ducks,  30,  31,  35,  38,  41 
Dunlin,  American,  86 

E. 

Eagle,  Bald,  133. 135,  136, 141,  357,  306 

Black,  135 

Golden,  117,  133,357,366 

Gray,  135 

Washington,  135 

White-headed,  133 
Eagles,  117, 135 
Ectopisies,  111.408 

migratorius.  111,  408 
Egret.  American,  59,  60 

Little  White,  60 
Egrets,  54,  57 
Eider.  American,  47 

King,  46 
Elanoides.  118 

forncatus,  118,  347,  366 
Emberiza  hortulana,  206 
Empidonax,  Ib7,  195 

acadicus.  195 

ilaviventris,  195 

minimus.  197 

pusillus  traillii,  196, 197 
English  Sparrow,  Stomach  Contents  of,  397, 

399 
Ereu  notes.  87 

pusillus,  87 
Erismatura,  48 

rubida,  48 

F. 

Falco,  137.  336 

columbarius.  139,  357,  366 

mexicauus.  of>7,  366 

peregrinus  anatum.  137,  357.  366 

sparverius,  140,  262,  336,  358,  366 
Falcon.  Prairie,  357,  366 
Falcon,  Winter,  129 
Falcones,  117 
Falcons,  117, 137 
Falconidae,  117,  140, 141 


428 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


Falconinae,  137 

Finch,  Crimson,  327,  231 

Grass,  233 

Pine,  231 

Purple,  224,  227 
Finches,  224,  231 
Fire-bird,  216 

Fish  Crow,  Examination  of  Stomach  of  the,  391 
Fish-duck,  31 
Flicker,  164, 176 
Flycatcher,  Acadian,  195, 197 

Crested,  19U 

Least,  197 

Olive-sided,  194 

Traill's,  196,  197 

Yellow-bellied,  195 
Flycatchers,  186 
Fly-up-the-creek,  63 
Fratercula,  9 

arctica,  9 
Fraterculinae.  9 
Fringillidre,  224,  267 
Fulica,  74 

americana,  74 
Fuhcinae,  74 

G. 

Gadwall,  36,  37 
Galeoscoptes,  305 

carolinensis,  305 
Gallinae,  lOi 
Gallinago,  £0,  82 

delicata,  80 
Gallinula,  73 

galeata,  72,  73 
Gallmule,  Florida,  73 

Purple,  73 
Gallinules,  67,  72 
Gallinulinae,  72 
Garrulinse,  199 
Geese,  30,  49 
Gelochelidon,  18 

nilotica,  18 
Geothlypis,272,296 

agilis,  297 

formosa,  271,  296 

Philadelphia.  271,  297 

trichas,  271,  298 
Glaucionetta,  44 

clangula  americana,  44 
Glossary  of  Technical  Terms,  411-424 
Gnatcatcher,  Blue-gray,  323 
Gnatcatchers,  320,  323 
Goatsuckers,  178 
Godwit.  Hudsonian,  88 

Marbled,  88 

Golden-eye,  American,  44,  45 
Goldfinch,  224,  230,  231 
Golden-robin,  216 
Golden  wing,  164 
Goosander,  31,  32 
Goose,  Blue,  49 

Blue  Snow,  49 

Brant.  51 

Canada.  30,  50 

Greater  Snow,  49 

Snow,  49 

Wild,  50 

Goshawk,  120, 124,  125,  126,  334,  349,  366 
Goshawks,  120, 125 
Grackle.  Bronzed,  224 

Purple,  219 

Kusty,  218 
Grackles,  Purple,  327 


Grass-snipe,  84,  85 

Gray-back,  84 

Grebe,  1,  2,  3,  4,  5,  45,  49 

Horned,  3,  4 

Pied-biiled,  1,  4,  5 

Red-necked,  2 

Holboell's  2, 3 
Grebes,  1,  6 
Green-bird,  248 
Greenlets,  262 
Grosbeak,  Blue,  247,  248 

Evening,  224.  225,  226 

Hose-breasted,  224,  246, 247 

Pine,  224,  226 
Grosbeaks,  225,  226 
Grouse,  104,  105, 107,  120,  200 

Rutfed,  104, 107,  108 
Guara,  alba,  54 
Guillemot,  9, 10 

Black,  9,  10 

Mandt's,  10 
Guillemots,  9 
Guiraca,  247 

caerulea,  247 
Gull,  14 

American  Herring,  14 

Big,  14 

Black-headed, 15 

Bonaparte's,  16 

Herring,  14, 16 

Laughing,  15 

Little,  16 

Ring-billed,  14 

Winter,  14 
Gulls,  10, 11,  13, 14, 16, 17, 18 

Skua,  10, 11 

H. 

Habia,  246 

ludoviciana,  246 
Haliasetus,  135 

leucocephalus,  135,  357, 366 
Hanging-bird,  216, 217 
Hang-nest,  2L7 
Haiporhynchus,  305 

ruf us,  3U5 
Harrier,  119 

Hawk,  American  Rough-legged,  131 
"  American  Sparrow,  140 

Black.  131,  Io2 

Blue,  124 

Broad-winged,  126,  130,  336,  356.  366 

Cooper's,  LsO, 122, 124, 131,  334,  335,  336,  346,  349, 
366 

Duck,  137,138,346,357,366 

Fish,  117, 136, 142 

Great-footed,  137, 138 

Harlan's,  129 

Hen,  127 

Long-tailed  Chicken,  122 

Marsh.  117,  119,  334,  336,  347,  348,  366 

Partridge,  120 

Pheasant,  122 

Pigeon,  1*0,  139, 160,  346.  357.  358,  366 

Red- shouldered,  126, 129, 130,  335,  336,  354,  355, 
366 

Red-tailed,  126,  127,  128,  129,  3&5,  336,  349,  350, 
351,  352,  H53,  H54,  3b6 

Rough  legged,  117,  132,  334,  336,  356,  357,  366 

Sharp-shinned,  120,  122.  334.  346. 348,  366 

Sparrow,  18.  117, 123,  130, 141, 155,  262,  335,  336, 
358,  359.  360.  366 

Swamson's,  356  366 
Hawks,  117.  119.  120,  124,  333,  334,  335,  336,  337,  338, 

341,  342,  343,  344,  345,  346,  347,  366 
Hawks  and  Owls,  Food  of,  346 
Hell-divers,  1 
Helminthophila,  275 

celata, 278 

chrysoptera,  268,276,  277 


INDEX. 


429 


Helminthophila,  leucobronchialis,  277 

peregrina,  278 

pin  us.  -tit1-,  275,  277 

runcapilla,268,277 
Helmitherus,  274 

vermivorus,  268,  274 
Hen,  Indian,  55, 160 

Mud,  6»,  69,74 

Prairie,  104 
Herodli,  54 
Herodiones,  53 
Heron,  Black-crowned  Night,  64 

Great,  6b 

Great  Blue,  57,  58.  63 

Greeu,  61,  63.  64,  65, 114 

Little  Blue,  61,  62,  63 

Little  White,  62 

Louisiana.  61,  62,  63 

Night.  63.  65,  66 

Snowy.  60.  61.  63 

Yellow-crowned  Night,  66 
Herons.  28.  53.  54.  57 

Great  Blue,  28 
Hick-up,  195. 196 
High-holder,  164 
Hirundinidfe.  252,  267 
Humming-bird.  3:20 

Kuby-throated,  183 
Humming-birds.  183, 184 
Hydrochelidon.  23 

nigra  surinamensis,  23 


Ibididse,  53,  54 
Ibis.  (T lossy.  53 

White,  54 

Wood,  53 
Ibises.  53 

Wood,  53 
Icteridae,  205 
Icteria,  272,  299 

virens,  271, 299 
Icterus.  214 

galbula,  216 

spurius,  214 
Ictinia.  118 

mississippiensis,  118,  347, 
Indigo-bud,  224,  248,  308 
lonornis,  73 

martinica,  73 

J. 

Jack-daw,  White-eyed,  224 
Jack-snipe,  80,  84 
Jaeger,  11 

Parasitic.  12 

Pomarine,  11 
Jaegers,  10,  11, 12, 13 
Jay,  Blue,  198,  190,  200,  251 

Canada.  199,  201 

Florida  Blue,  199 

Scrub.  199 
Jay-bird.  199 
Jays,  198,  199,  200,  318 
Junco,  224,  240 

hyemalis,  240,  282, 283 

Slate-colored,  240 
Juree,  244 


Killdeer,  9!) 
Killdeers,  97,  100 
Kingbird,  187,  188, 189 
Kingfisher,  188 
Belted,  162 


Kingfishers,  162, 163 

Kinglet,  Golden-crowned,  320.  321, 

Ruby-crowned,  3^0,  821,  322 
Kinglets,  320 
Kite  Mississippi,  118,  347,  366 

Swallow-tailed,  118,  347, 366 
Kites,  117 
Knot,  83,  84 
Kittiwake,  16. 17 
Kow-bird,  160, 161 


Laniidee,  259 
Lanius,  260 

borealis,  260,  262 

ludovicianus,  260,  261.  262 

ludovicianus  excubitorides,  260,  262 
Lanivireo,  263 
Lark.  Brown,  303 

Horned,  197, 198 

Prairie  Horned,  198 
Laridae,  11, 13 
Larinre,  13 
Larus,  14, 15, 16 

argentatussmithsonianus,  14 

atricilla,  15 

delawarensis,  14 

Philadelphia,  16 
Letter,  from 

Bicknell,  Eugene  P.,  338 

Coues,  Dr.  Elliott,  337 

Fisher,  Dr.  A.  K.,  338 

Henshaw,  H.  W..  336,  337 

Mernam,  Dr.  C.  Hart,  334,  335 

Ridgway.  Robert.  335 

Stejneger,  Dr.  Leonhard,  335 

Turner,  Lucien  M.,  237,  338 
Limicolae,  75 
Limosa.  88 

fedoa,  88 

haemastica.  88 
Lougspur,  Lapland,  232,  233 
Loon,  6,  7.  8,  45 

Red-throated,  8 
Loons,  31 
Lophodytes,  33 

cucullatus,  33 
Loxia,  228 

curvirostra  minor,  228 

curvirostra  stricklandi,  228 

leucoptera,  229 

M. 

Macrochires,  178 
Macrorhamphus,  82 

griseus,  82 
Mallard,  35,  36 

Black,  36 

Martin,  Purple,  253,  254 
Meadowlark,  213,  214 
Megascops.  154,  336,  366 

asio,  154,  336,  366 
Melanerpes,  172 

carolinus,  173. 174,  178 

erythrocephalus,  172 
Meleagrinae,  109 
Meleagris,  109 

gallopavo,  109, 110 
Melospiza,  242 

t'asciata,  242 

georgiana.  243 

lincolni.  242 
Merganser,  31 

American.  31 

Hooded,  32,  33,  34 

Red- breasted,  32,  33 


430 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA, 


Merganser,  31 

amencanus,  31 

serrator,  32 

Mergansers,  30,  31,  32,  &3,  34 
Merginoe,  31 
Merula,327 

migratoria,  324,  327 
Micropalama,  83 

hiraantopus,  83 
Micropodidsie,  182 
Migrants,  Some  Nocturnal,  400 
Miming,  304 
Mimus.  304 

polyglottos,  304 
Mniotilta,  273,  287 

varia,  273,  287 
Muiotiltidue.  267 
Mockingbird.  304 

Brown.  304 
Molothrus.  209 

ater,  209 
Motacillidae,  303 
Murre,  iO 

Brunnich's,  10 
Murres,  8 
Myiarchus,  186. 190 

crinitus,  190 

N. 

Nigbthawk,  178, 179, 180, 181, 183 
Night-hen.  64 
Numenius,  95 

boreal  is.  % 

longirostris,  95 
Nuthatch,  272 

Brown-headed,  315,  317 

Rec:-breasted.  315, 3l« 

White-hellied.  :i75.  315 

White-breasted,  315,  316 
Nuthatches,  167,  314,  315,  318 
Nyctala.  152 

acadica,  152,  363,  366 
Nyctea.  158 

iiyctea,  143, 158,  365, 366 
Nycticorax.  6t 

n>  cticorax  mevius,  64 

violaceus,  66 

O. 

Oceanodroma,  27 

leucorhoa,  27 
Oidemia.  47 

americana,  47 

deglandi,  47 

perspicillata,  48 
Old-squaw,  46 
Olor.  51 

columbianus,  51 
Oporornis,  296 
Orange-borer,  174 
Oriole,  Baltimore,  216,  217 

Orchard,  214,  215,  217 

Orioles,  205 
Ortolan,  70,  206 
Oscines,  186,  197 
Osprey,  American,  143 
Otocoris,  197 

alpestris.  197 

alpffltrjta  praticola,  198 
Oveubird,  271,  272,  275,  293,  294,  296 
Owl,  Acadian,  152, 153 

American  Hawk,  159,  365,  366 

American  Long-eared,  146 


Owl,  Barn,  143,  144,  145,  146,  152.  369,  366 
Barred,  144,  150,  151,  »»,  362,  366 
Burrowing,  153, 365,  366 
Cedar.  144,  146 
Florida  Barred,  151,  362,  366 
Gray,  154 
Great  Gray,  151 
Great  Homed,  143, 144,  150,  156,  157,  335,  336, 

344,  346,  364,  365.  366 
Hoot,  143,  150,  156 
Long-eared,  143, 144, 146,  147, 150,  336,  360,  361, 

366 

Marsh,  144, 148 
Mottled,  153.  154, 155 
Kain,  144,  150 
Ked,  153,  154 
Saw-whet.  152,  363,  366 
Screech,  117, 143, 150, 154,  155, 156,  336,  363,  364, 

366 
Short-eared,  143,  144,  148,  149,  150,  336,  361, 

362,  366 
Stone,  153 

Swamp,  144. 148,  150 
Snowy,  143, 158,  365,  366 
White,  143 
Owls,  4.  143.  144,  145.  146.  147,  333,  336,  337,  338,  341, 

342,  343,  344,  345,  347,  366 


P. 

Paludicolae,  67 
Pandion.  142 

baliaetus  carolinensis,  142 
Pandionime,  142 
Paridae,  314 
Parinae,  317 
Partridge.  104, 105, 107 

California,  104 
Partridges,  105, 106 
Parus,  318 

atricapillus,  318 

bicolor.  318 

carolinensis,  319 
Passer,  240.  397 

domesticus,  240, 397 
Pa&serella,  243 

iliaca,  243 
Passerina,  248 

cyanea,  248 
Passeres,  186 
Peep,  85,  87 
Peeps,  86 
Peet-weet,  95 
Pelecanidoe,  29 
Pelecanus,  29 

erythrorhynchos,  29 
Pelican.  American  White,  29 

White,  29 
Pelicans,  29,  30 
Perisoretis,  201 

canadensis,  201 
Petrel,  Leach's,  27 

Stormy,  27 

Wilson's,  27 
Petrels,  25,  26 
Petrochelidon,  254 

lunit'rous,  254 
Pewee,  191,192,296,309 

Common,  168 

Wood,  19.{,  196,  287 
Phalacrocoracidne,  28 
Phalacrocorax,  28 

car  bo,  28 

dilophus,  28 
PhalaropodidiB,  75 
Phalaropus,  76 

lobatus,  76 

tricolor.  76 


INDEX. 


431 


Phalnrope,  Northern,  76 

Keel.  77 

\N  iison's,  76 
Phalaropes,  75,  76 
Phalerinne,  9 
Phnsiani,  104 
Phasianidte,  109 
Pheasant,  101, 103 
Pheasants,  104,  108 
Philohela,  77,  78,  80 

minor,  78 
Phoebe,  191,  193 
Picker,  Big-wood,  164 
Pici,  164 
Picidre,  164 
Picoides.  164, 165 

americanus,  164 

arctieus,  164 
Pigeon,  Passenger,  111 

Wild,  110,  111,  112,113 
Pigeons,  110,  111,  112,  120 
Pmicola,  2','6 

enucleator,  canadensis,  228 
Pintail,  39 
Pipilo,  244 

erytbropthalmus,  244 
Pipit,  American,  272,  303 
Piranga.  250 

erythromelas,  250 

rulmi,  252 
Plataleidue,  54 
Plectrophenax,  232 

nivaiis,  '£M 

Piegadis,  autumnalis,  53 
Plover,  American  U  olden,  98 

Black-bellied,  97,  98 

Hull-head.  97,  98 

Field,  92.  93.  98, 

Golden.  97, 98 

Grass.  92.  93 

Piping.  *7,  101, 102 

Kin".  100.  101 

Upland,  H2 

Semipalmated,  100, 101 

Whistling  Kield,  97 

Wilson's,  102 
Plovers,  97,  98 
PodiciDedes,  I 
Podicipidae,  I 
Podilymbus,  1,  4 

podiceps,  I,  4 
Polioplila.  323 

caerulea,  323 
Polioptilinre,  323 
Pooctetes.  233 

gramineus,  233 
Porzana,  67,  70 

Carolina,  70,  206 

jarnaicensis,  72 

noveboracensis,  71 
Potato-bug-bird,  246 
Procellaria,  27 

pelagica,  27 
ProcelhiriidtE,  25 
Progne,  253 

MI  I  us,  253 
Proton*  >taria,  273 

citrea,  268,  273 
Puffin,  9 
Puflinus.  26 

major,  26 
Puffins,  8,  9 
Pygopodes,  1 


Quail,  104, 105,  106, 120 

Kuropean,  104 

Migratory,  104 
Quaker-bird,  258 
Quiscalus,  219 

quiscula,  219.  224 

(luiscula  a-neus,  C34 

R. 

Hail,  Big  Red,  67 

Black.  72 

Blue,  73 

Carolina,  70.  71,  206 

Clapper,  67,  68,  69,  74 

Common,  70 

King,  67.  69 

Little  Red,  69 

Vu-ginia,  67,68,69,  70,  71 

Yellow,  71 
Ralli,  67 
Rallidne,  67 
Rallinae,  67 
Rallus,  67 

elegans,  67,  68 

longirostris  crepitans,  68,  74 

virginianus,  69 
Rail-bird,  70 
Rails,  67 
Raptores,  11, 114 
Raven,  198 

Northern,  201 
Ravens,  201,  202 
Red-bird,  216,  245 

Black-winged,  250 

Winter,  245 
Red-head,  41,  42 
Redpoll,  224,  229,  230 
Redstart.  267,  284 

American,  303 
Reed-bird,  205,  206 
Regulinoe,  320 
Regulus,32l 

calendula,  322 

satrapa,  321,  322 
Ricebird,  207 
Ricebirds,  206,  208 
Ring-neck,  100. 101 
Rissa,  16 

tridactyla,  16 
Robin,  203,  324,  325,  327,  328 

American,  324, 327 

Ground,  244 

Wood,  324 
Robi-n,  Food  of,  329 
Robins,  267,  327,  328 
Robin-snipe,  84 
Rynchopida?,  24 
Rynchops.  25 

nigra,  25 

3. 

Salad-bird,  230,  231 

Sanderling,87 

Sandpiper.  Ash-colored,  83 

Bartramiau,  92 

Black-bellied,  86 

Least,  t-5,  87 

Pectoral.  84,  85 

Purple.  84 

Red-backed,  86 

Red-breasted,  83 

Semipalmated,  85,  87 


432 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


Sandpiper,  Solitary,  90,  91 
Spotted,  9J,  94,  95,  97,  294 
Stilt,  *3 

White- rumped,  85 
Sandpipers.  77 
Sapsucker,  165, 166,  167,  315,  316 

Orange,  174 

Yellow-bellied,  168, 169 
Sapsuckers,  166,  169 
Sarcorhamphi,  114 
Sayornis,  187,  191 

phoebe,  191,  296 
Scolecophagus,  218 

carol  in  us,  218 
Scolopacidae,  77 
Scolopax,  77 

rusticola,  77 
Scoter,  American,  47 

Surf,  48 

White- winged,  fi 
Seiurus,  275,  293 

aurocapillus,  271,  275,  293 

motacilla.  271,  295 

noveboracensis,  271, 294 
Setophaga.  302 

ruticilla,  267,  302 
Shearwater,  26 

Greater,  26 
Sheldrake,  31 
Shewink,  244 
Shite-poke,  63 
Shoveller,  39 
Shrike,  260 

Great  Northern,  260 

Loggerhead,  260,  261.  263 

Northern,  259,  260.  261 

White-rumped,  260.  261,  262 
Shrikes,  259,  260,  261,  262 
Sialia.  330 

sialis,  330 
Sickle-bill,  95 
Siskin,  Pine,  231 
Sitta,  275,  315 

canadensis,  316 

carol  inensis,  275,  315 

pusilla,  317 
Sitting,  314 
Skimmer,  Black,  25 
Skimmers,  24,  25 
Skylarks,  198 
Skuas,  10 
Snipe,  English,  80,  8i 

Wilson's,  79,  fcO,  81,  82,  85 
Snipes,  77 
Snowbird,  229,  240 

Black,  240 

White,  232 
Snowbirds,  282,  283 
Snowflake,  224, 232,  233 
Somateria,  46 

dresseri.  47 

spectabilis,  46 
Sora,  67,  70,  71 
Sparrow,  Chipping,  238 

English,  121,  2*4.  240,  241,  254,  394 

European  House,  240 

Field.  23t«,  239 

Fox,  243 

Grasshopper.  235,  272 

Henslow's.  236 

Lincoln's,  242 

Savanna,  234 

Song,  241.  242,  309 

Swamp.  243 

Tree.  237,  238.  282 

Vesper,  233,  238 


!  Sparrow,  White-crowned,  236 

White-throated,  224,  236,  237,  2S) 

Yellow-winged,  235 
Sparrows,  224,  282 

English,  stomach  contents  of,  397, 
Spatula,  39 

clypeata,  39 

Speotyto  cunicularia  hypogaea,  365,  366 
Sphyrapicus.  165,  168 

varius,  168,  169 
Spinus,  230 

pinus,  231 

tristis,  230 
Spiza,  249 

americana,  249 

townsendii,  249 
Spizella.  237 

monticola,  237 

pusilla,  239 

socialis,  238 
Spoonbill,  39 

lioseate,  54 
Sprig-tail,  39 
Squawk,  64 
Steganopodes,  28 
Stelgidopteryx,  257 

serripeunis,  257 
Stercorariida?,  10 
Stercorarius,  11,  12 

parasiticus,  12 

pomarinus,  11 
Sterna,  18 

antillarum,  22 

dougalli,  21 

iorsteri,  19 

1'uliginosa,  22 

hirundo,  20 

maxima,  19 

paradisrea,  21 

tschegrava,  18 
Sterninse,  17 
Striges,  143 
Strigidae,  143, 144 
Strix,  144 

pratincola,  143, 144,  360,  366 
Sturnella,  213 

magna«  213 
Storks,  53 
Surnia,  159 

ulula  caparoch,  159,  365,  366 
Swallow,  Bank,  253,  256,  257 

Bara,  252,  253,  255,  309 

Chimney,  183 

Cliff,  252,  253,  254,  255 

Rough-winged,  253,  257 

Sand,  256 

Sea.  20 

Tree,  252,  256 

White-bellied,  256 
Swallows,  17,  252 

Sea,  10,  17 
Swan,  Whistling,  51 

White,  52 
Swans,  30,  51,  52 

Swift,  Chimney,  182, 183 
Swifts,  178,  182,  183 
Swimmers,  10 
Sylvania,  300 

canadensis,  267,  271,  300 

mitrata,  2*>7,  271,  300 

pusilla,  267,  300 
Sylviida?,  320 
Symphemia,  92 

semipalmata,  92 
Syrnium.  150,  336 

nebulosum,  150,  336,  362,  366 

nebulosum  alleni,  151,  362,  366 


INDEX. 


433 


Tachycineta,  256 

bicolor,  256 
Tanager,  Scarlet,  250 

Summer,  252 
Tanagrida?,  250,  267 
Tantalinse,  53 
Tantalus,  53 

loculator,  53 
Teal,  Blue-winged,  38 

Green- winged,  37,  38 
Tell-tale,  Greater,  88 

Lesser,  89 

Terms,  Technical,  Glossary  of,  411-424 
Tern,  18 

Arctic,  21 

Black,  23,  24 

Caspian,  18 

Common,  20 

Forster's,  19,  20 

Gull-billed,  18, 19 

Least,  22 

Marsh,  18 

Roseate,  21 

Royal,  19 

Short- tailed,  23 

Sooty,  22,  23 

Wilson's,  20 

Terns,  11, 13, 17, 18,  21,  22,  24 
Tetraonidae,  104 
Tetraoninas,  107 
Thistle-bird,  230 
Thrasher,  Brown,  304,  305 
Thrashers,  304 
Thrush,  Bicknell's,  324,  32G 

Brown,  o05,  306,  308 

Golden-crowned.  293 

Gray-cheeked.  325,  326 

Hermit,  326,  327 

Large-billed  Water,  295 

Olive-backed.  326 

Small-billed  Water,  294 

Tawney,  325 

Wilson's.  325,  326 

Wood,  203,  324.  325 

Water,  271,  272,  294,  295 

Water,  Louisiana,  271,  272.  295 
Thrushes,  272,  324 

Water,  296 
Thryothorns,  S08 

bewickii,  309 

ludovicianus,  308 
Titlark,  303, 
Titlarks,  303 
Tilt-up,  94,  95 
Titmice,  167,  317,  318 
Titmouse,  Black-cap,  318,  319,  320 

Tufted,  317,  318 
Tits,  314 
Tom-tit,  317 
Totanus,  88 

Uavipes,  89 

melanoleucus,  88 

solitarius,  90 
Towhee,  224,  244 
Tringa,  83 

alpina  paciflca,  86 

canutus,  83 

fuscicollis,  85 

maculata,  84 

maritima,  84 

minutilla,  85, 87 
Trochili,  183 
Trochilidie,  183 
Trochilus,  183 

colubris,  183 

28  BIRDS. 


Troglodytes,  310 

aedon,  309,  310 

hiemalis,  310 
Troglodytidae,  304 
Troglodytinae,  307 
Tubinares,  25 
Turdidce,  324 
Turdinae,  324 
Turdus,  324 

alicire,  325,  326 

alicias,  bicknelli,  226 

aonalaschkae  pallasii,  326 

fuscescens,  325 

mustelinus,  324 

ustulatus  swainsonii,  326 
Turkey,  Water,  28,  58,  73 

Wild,  109, 110 
Turkeys,  28,  63, 109 
Turnstone,  103 

Black,  103 
Turnstones,  103 

Tympanuchus,  americanus,  104 
Tyrannidae,  186,  267 
Tyrannus,  186, 187 

tyrannus,  187 


Ulula,  151 

cinerea,  151 
Uria.  10 

lomvia,  10 
Urinator,  6 

imber,  6 

lumme,  8 
Urinatondse,  6 


Veery,  325 
Vireo,  263 

flavifrons,  265 

gilvus,  264 

noveboracensis,  266 

olivaceus,  263,  264 

philadelphicus,  264 

solitarius,  265 

Vireo,  Blue-headed,  262.  265 
Philadelphia,  262, 263,  264 
Ksd-eyed,  262,  263 
Warbling,  262,  263,  264 
White-eyed,  262,  263.  266 
Yellow-throated,  262,  265 

Vireomd{E,  262,  267 

Vireos,  262,  263 

Vireosylva,  263 

Vulture,  Black,  114, 117 
Turkey,  115 

Vultures,  114,  117 
American,  114, 115 

W. 

Wagtail,  Water,  294 

Warbler,  Audubon's,  273.  282,  283 
Bay-breasted.  285 
Black  and  White,  268,  272,  273,  286 
Blackburnian,  269,  287 
Black-poll,  286 
Black-throated  Blue,  269,  281 
Black-throated  Green,  270,  289 
Blue,  284 
Blue- winged,  275 
Blue- winged  Yellow,  268,  272,  275 
Blue  Yellow-backed,  279 
Bre  water's,  277 
Canadian,  267,  271,  301 
Cape  May,  279 


434 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


Warbler,  Cerulean,  269,  284 

Chestnut-sided,  269,  284,  285 

Connecticut,  297 

Golden- winged,  268, 276 

Hooded,  271.  300 

Kentucky,  271,  272,  296 

Kirtland's,  270,  290,  291 

Magnolia,  269, 283 

Mourning,  271,  272, 296,  298 

Myrtle,  267,  269,  273,  281,  282 

Nashville,  268, 277 

Orange-crowned,  278 

Palm,  272,  292 

Parula,  269,  273,  279 

Pine,  267.  270,  272,  273,  291,  292 

Prairie,  270, 293 

Prothonotary,  268,  273 

Ked-poil,  292 

Tennessee,  273,  278,  279 

Townsend's,  290 

Wilson's.  267, 300,  301 

Worm-eating,  268,  274,  276 

Yellow,  269,  280 

Yellow-crown,  282 

Yellow  Palm,  267,  272,  273,  279,  292 

Yellow-rump,  282 

Yellow-throated,  270,  288 

Warblers,  272,  273,  283,  293 
Wasp-hawk,  118 
Waxwing,  Cedar,  258 

Bohemian,  257,  258 
Waxwings,  257,  267 
Whip-poor-will,  17§,  179, 180,  181 
Whistler,  44,  45 
Wild-canary,  230 
Widgeon,  American,  37 
Willet,  92 

Wink,  Meadow,  206 
Woodcock,  79,  164 

American,  78 

European,  77 
Wood-hen,  79 
Wood-warblers,  267 


Woodpecker,  American,  Three-toed,  164 

Arctic  Three-toed,  164 

Downy,  164,  165,  166, 167, 168,  316 

Hairy,  164,  165,  166, 168, 178,  316 

Pileated,  164, 170, 171, 177, 178 

Pine-bark,  167 

Red-bellied,  164, 173,  175, 178 

Red-cockaded,  164, 167, 177 

Red-headed,  164, 172 

Yellow-bellied,  164, 168 
Woodpeckers,  164, 170, 174, 175, 315 
Wood-snipe,  78 
Wren,  Bewick's,  307,  309 

Carolina,  307,  308, 310 

Carolina,  Great,  308 

House,  307,  809,  310,  312 

Long-billed  Marsh,  307,  312,  313 

Marsh,  307 

Mocking,  308 

Short-billed  Marsh,  307,  311 

Winter,  307,  308,  310, 311 
Wrens,  304,  307 

X. 

Xanthocephalus,  212 
xanthocephalus,  212 

Y. 

Yellow-bird,  230 
Yellow-legs,  89 

Greater,  88,  89 
Yellow-shanks,  89 

Greater,  88 
Yellow-throat,  Maryland,  271,  273,  2%,  20; 


Zenaidura,  113 
macroura,  113 

Zonotrichia,  236 
albicollis,  237 
loucophrys,  236 


THIS  BOOK  IS  DUE  ON  THE  LAST  DATE 
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WILL  INCREASE  TO  SO  CENTS  ON  THE  FOURTH 
DAY  AND  TO  $1.OO  ON  THE  SEVENTH  DAY 
OVERDUE. 

"BIOLOGY  LIBRARY 


JUN    H959 

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